Tinds - carded

By Cherry Picker
August 23 2009

The welcome return of Gloucester’s hoops looked better at times than some of the rugby the team played on the way to their 29-19 friendly win against Connacht at Kingsholm, a game that gave the squad a welcome exercise in gaining match fitness and an unwelcome couple of injuries, most notably to wing Lesley Vainikolo.

All in all it was a useful afternoon, though some of the goings-on on the pitch were surprising for a “friendly”.
Many of Connacht’s points were the direct result of Glaws mistakes and Bryan Redpath’s side also played a much more expansive game than they would have played had points or knock-out progress been at stake.
But the purpose of pre-season matches is to give players game time, and that is exactly what this match did in front of less than 5,000 fans.
The game burst into unexpected life in the second half when Mike Tindall was one of two players yellow-carded (in a friendly!!!) and there was a classic demonstration of formation handbag swinging amongst the rugby.
When the teams played rugby, Nicky Robinson looked impressive at fly-half and kicked just as well as Carlos Spencer had the week before, while the pack – despite all the changes we have come to know and love in friendlies (we lost count at nine for Glaws) – looked good as a unit at times.
It was a good day out with some promise in the Glaws team and one or two things that clearly need to be ironed out before the real thing starts.
That arrives on Sunday September 6 at home to Bath, but before than there is one more warm-up match, against Ospreys at Kingsholm next weekend.

Good and bad as Glaws fight back for friendly win

Discussion started by Shedloads (IP Logged), 23/08/2009 10:33

Shedloads
23/08/2009 10:33

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