...Whites and it did not disappoint. There is no doubt Gloucester is a “proper” rugby ground filled with passionate and (the ones I met) knowledgeable supporters that doesn’t feel the need for any gimmicks nor incidental music. I had definitely saved one of the best until last and a feeling in my bones said this was going to be a good day.

Guinness Premiership Round 3

Gloucester Rugby v Northampton Saints

Saturday 19th September, Kingsholm.

Kick off 3PM

The day started on the Supporters club coach. Thankfully I was on the quiet one so I could catch up on my sleep following a heavy night. On approaching Gloucester I spotted my first wild tractor. It was hiding behind a bush. Now I’ve seen tractors before of course, but there’s something quite special about seeing them in their natural habitat roaming free. The Kingsholm Inn was the next stop, right opposite the ground serving London pride or Shed bitter on hand pump in addition to the usual fare, it soon filled with supporters of both teams and the atmosphere started to build. Next the Guinness van just over the road with the black nectar (and a red version) on sale for £2.50 a pint. See I told you this was going to be a good day.

We viewed the match for the JS stand behind the goal. The shed was away to our left with the impressive main stand to our right. If you imagine Franklin Gardens had kept the old Gordon terrace and built the Tetley’s stand opposite, you might get the picture. 

The match started with Saints playing with assurance. They managed to totally silence the Gloss crowd for the first five minutes as they controlled the ball and settled into the match. Gloss looked more urgent with their first possession however and won a penalty that Robinson sent wide. Saints were undeterred and continued to play their brand of attacking rugby and around 7mins a lovely interplay through the forwards saw Tiny rampage to the line. No TMO this week; try Saints converted in front of the sticks by Geraghty 0-7 to the visitors. Bruce added a long-range penalty on 11 mins to take it to 0-10.

The game continued to ebb and flow with both teams looking to play attacking rugby and with both defences putting in some very big hits indeed. Robinson scored Gloucester’s first points with a penalty on 18mins, which Geraghty sought to cancel out with a drop goal attempt a minute later but missed.

Finally Gloucester made the break through that their supporter’s had been baying for. Robinson put Qera in acres of space on the wide left. But he seemed to be celebrating too soon as Ashton came across like a freight train and almost bundled him into touch as he went in for the score. This did put the conversion beyond Robinson’s reach so the score held at 8-10. Mr Rose then decided to tick off his list of offences by awarding five penalties at approximately 2-minute intervals, three to Gloss and two to Saints. Robinson missed one but the others were all kicked successfully bringing the score to 14-19. Although Gloss had briefly held the lead Saints had in my opinion the upper hand and a neutral would have found it hard to believe that this was a team that struggled to produce any points away from home. If Dowson had held onto a pass in the dying minutes of the first half a couple of yards from the line Saints could well have had the match won before I went in search of more Guinness. But it wasn’t to be. Half Time 14-19

Gloucester were first out onto the pitch after the break as Saints kept them waiting. But it was once again Saints who took the initiative once the whistle blew as again good control of the ball and patient recycling drew a penalty on 47m. Geraghty missed this chance to put the Gold Black & Green further ahead but the faithful didn’t have to wait long before the breakthrough came. The ball was moved left and right, Foden made a couple of breaks and eventually the ball came out to Clarkey in space on the left and the second try was scored. The conversion was missed so the score was now 14-24.

Saints continued to dominate and the play was rarely in the Saints half. But Gloucester at Kingsholm will not lie down and they fought back to win a penalty on 52m. Robinson however missed the chance and the feeling now was this could just be our day. Bruce was given another chance on 62 mins and he did not waste it as his second penalty flew over the posts (actually it just about made it after changing direction two or three times, but they all count). 14-27

The usual flow of substitutions had started just before this and they continued as a large part of the Saints bench were utilised. Wilson came on for Besty, which meant Dowson moved to Blindside from Eight. The rest were like for like changes.

Now we entered largely unknown territory for this Saints side. Fifteen to go and thirteen points up away from home. Could they close it out? The answer was a very emphatic yes. Gloucester camped in the Saints twenty-two for the first time in the match and the siege began. Every decision from Mr Rose went their way as Saints defended like demons both within and outside the laws. Penalty chances for goal were spurned as Gloucester sought the elusive try and as the minutes ticked away this was no longer for the win but to claim at least a losing bonus.  But Saints held firm, Dickens even playing from the base of one ruck topless as his shirt was ripped form his body.

Final score 14-27 Saints have an away win, only three matches into the season, at Gloucester, and denied them even a losing bonus! Does it get any better than that? 

This was a performance to be proud of. We certainly had our heads held high as we revisited the Guinness van. The Hood was so happy he let players visit the local chippy !! It’s hard to highlight any individuals as this was truly a gutsy team performance, the like of which we haven’t seen away in the Premiership for a while. Hopefully it’s the first of many. But I think after seeing him forcing every ounce of energy to get up yet again to defend our line in the dying seconds of the game, having tackled and scrummed his heart out for the full 80 mins and scoring the opening try with what is becoming a typical bullocking charge through the defence, my man of the Match was Soane “Tiny” Tonga‘uiha.  Now Bring on Leeds.

Northampton Saints – Foden; Ashton, Clarke, Downey (Mayor 56mins), Reihana; Geraghty, Dickson (Dickens 60mins); Tonga'uiha, Hartley (capt)(Sharman 76mins), Bonorino (Mujati 58mins), Fernandez Lobbe (Lawes 54mins), Kruger, Best (Wilson 54mins), Gray, Dowson.

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