By Cherrybomb
January 5 2003

Another important game in the premiership season, London Wasps were always going to be a difficult challenge and a loss would undo the great things that the team had achieved at Franklin's Gardens the week before. However, despite some periods of poor play Gloucester hung on, winning 24-17.

On the London Wasps' official website it had been reported that they would field a weak team. As Wasps are strong challengers for the second or third spot, this always seemed unlikely, and they fielded a strong team short of a couple of injured players.

The game was dictated by poor handling and sometimes lack of invention. Nothing can be taken away from the brilliant defence of both teams though.

Henry Paul again looked weak when faced with the ball on the ground, but looked strong when in attack. Again this begs the question of why he isn't played at centre more often.

Gloucester took the lead with a Ludovic Mercier penalty, but King equalised for Wasps with one of his own. Ludo went on to miss two further attempts after this, as he had a rare nightmare with the kicking boot. However he looked as brilliant as ever in the back line, he is now as much of a asset there as he is when he is kicking. Surely now he is the all round full back we wanted?

King took the lead for Wasps with another kick, and they kept this lead for most of the rest of the first half. However, Gloucester retook the lead with a try just before half time.

Andy Gomarsall kicked through for Marcel Garvey, a tactic which has clearly been well practised. Garvey outsprinted the Wasps' wing, but the full back was just too close to the ball for Garvey to get there first. However because he was adjudged to have taken the ball over the line, Spreadbury awarded Gloucester a 5-metre scrum, and they drove before setting up a maul. Mark Cornwell cleverly manoeuvred the ball away from the Wasps' forwards and was driven through the gap to score. Mercier again missed the kick.

Early in the second half Wasp's retook the lead with a try of their own. Garvey was left in a difficult situation when a high ball came to him as acting full back. He tried to clear with a kick but it was charged down and two Wasps players dived on the ball over the line for the simplest of tries.

Cornwell's next try was made by Ludovic Mercier. He pounced on a loose pass and drove through the defensive line. He kicked through and claimed but was held up just before scoring, but he managed to get the ball away to Pasty to go over again.

King retook the lead for Wasps with another kick. It was this sort of game and at this stage it was anyone's guess who was going to win. Henry Paul soon changed the leader again with a penalty after Mercier decided to stop trying.

Gloucester seemed to have the edge in defence and looked like they could hold on for the win. after some fantastic defensive work from the forwards, who now looked as eager as ever to win, Gloucester were awarded a penalty because of crossing by Wasps. They kicked for touch and drove for the score from the lineout. Wasps were penalised and Henry Paul slotted a simple kick.

Wasps fought and fought for the win, but the defence was again very sound. As they tried to maul forward, Junior Paramore somehow ripped the ball free and dodged in and out of the opposition defence and broke through. He fed Boer who in turn fed Ludovic Mercier. The Frenchman tried to pull away from the chasing players, but despite his strongest efforts he was pulled down just short. Gloucester had overlaps on the right though and it was Henry Paul who crossed to seal the Gloucester win.

Alex King slotted a kick late on to get a loosers bonus point.

Final Score: Gloucester 24-17 London Wasps