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IT’S NICE TO SEE THE ALMIGHTY TUMBLE. Especially when they are the humble Wasps!
After defeating Northampton and Gloucester, then beating Munster in Ireland with an Herculean effort, some scribes understandably claimed that Wasps were probably the best club side in Europe.
That image was tarnished after their trip to Kingsholm. Perhaps it was one away match too many at the tail end of a gruelling season but the final score flattered Wasps as they had been pretty well outplayed for long periods by an excellent team effort from Gloucester that made a mockery of their underperformance at Wycombe.
This win keeps Gloucester in the frame for a possible play-off spot and keeps interest alive in the Zurich Premiership but the whole play-off system goes against the grain. Whichever club tops the table should be crowned champions but at present there is the chance of the winners being sacrificed at the altar of commercialism and the money men, in an already overlong season whilst Heineken Cup qualification remains a mystery shrouded in permutations of ifs and buts.
There were no doubts that at Kingsholm, for Gloucester were the better side on the day and thoroughly deserved their victory with a stimulating performance built upon a dominant display by their pack, particularly in the first half. Indeed if Gloucester had taken all their early chances they would have had a deserved twenty point lead at the break.
It was all Gloucester in the first quarter with strong driving play by the pack but breaks by Henry Paul were let down by poor passing and finishing, also some sloppy touch kicking which gave away too much possession.
Gloucester looked just that shade keener than their opponents and H.P. kicked two early penalties and set up Duncan MacRae who made an incisive break to give James Simpson-Daniel enough room to get the important first try. Paul’s conversion gave Gloucester a 13-0 lead coming up to the interval.
Alex King kicked a penalty but the Cherry and Whites then let Wasps back into the game as MacRae threw out a loose speculative pass in front of the posts that was gratefully snapped up by Wasps’ Fraser Waters who scored . The conversion took the score to 13-10 and from cruising along with a comfortable lead Gloucester had let Wasps right back into the match at half-time.
WASPS BACK IN GAME
Inconsistency and lapses of concentration have spoilt this season but at least on this occasion Gloucester got their act back together in the second half. H.P kicked another penalty as Wasps were penalised for straying offside, an offence that is made difficult for the officials to pick up on, so efficient is the visitors cynical tactical methods.
The Gloucester pack got through an immense amount of work and were a yard quicker and sharper than their counterparts. The powerful Paul Volley and Lawrence Dallaglio were off the pace and consequently the visitors, who were without the powerful Simon Shaw, could never pressurise up front as they had done in the Heineken Cup encounter.
Gomarsall chipped a clever box kick for Sinbad to chase but the ball took a wicked bounce before Junior Paramore fed Marcel Garvey who appeared from the opposite wing to score by the corner flag. The try was awarded after consultation by referee Tony Spreadbury with the video official. 21-10.
Alex King pulled a penalty back for Wasps but Gloucester went further in front going into the final quarter as Henry Paul freed Terry Fanolua who made enough ground and space for flanker Andy Hazell to score in the corner. H.P’s touchline conversion took Gloucester to 28-13.
Cornerstone prop Craig Dowd and the influential Rob Howley were brought on for the visitors. Howley’s sharp awareness saw Wasps take advantage of some poor Gloucester cover for Kenny Logan to score a try which was converted to take the score to 28-20 on eighty minutes.
Craig Dowd was not so lucky as he was stretchered off but Wasps were still able to exploit some weak mid-field tackling by Gloucester for centre Mark Denny to get the benefit of a somewhat fortuitous video decision for a final injury time try despite a desperate tackle from Sinbad which gave the Londoners a bonus point with the score 28-25, which may yet prove crucial in the final Zurich Premiership League round up.
The final whistle came and with it a lap of honour in front of a packed Kingsholm for the grand old warhorse of the front row Andy Deacon.
A fitting end to a long career for a true Gloucester boy.
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Revenge as Gloucester turn the tables 
