Gloucester Ease Past Leeds

By Cherrybomb
November 25 2002

A top of the table clash, and you'd be forgiven for expecting a close, physical, entertaining match. However at times it felt like we were at Wimbledon rather than Kingsholm. Despite a reasonably mediocre performance from Gloucester, Leeds were worse and had no real chance. Gloucester 28-10 Leeds.

From the kick off it seemed obvious that the game would be about possession and discipline. And for the first half an hour Leeds discipline was poor, pulling down every maul and they were often offside at the ruck. Two kickable penalties were offered, one missed by Ludo and one sailed over.

It wasn't until the 27th minute that Gloucester broke the try line. Man of the match Jake Boer went over with a typically barnstorming effort. Let's hope that England don't realise that he is now eligible. Ludo converted to open up a 10 point gap.

And it looked like a certain drubbing for Leeds when Gloucester scored again. This was one of the best tries, with many of the team having a part to play. Junior Paramore was the key man, stealing a Leeds ball. He rampaged up the fielded and the ball was spread between the forwards. Tom Beim was eventually released, but wasn't able to go over. He did manage to release Paramore though who had supported Beim in fantastic fashion. He scored, Mercier converted.

Leeds were handed a gift though with an interception try. A loose pass from Robert Todd was caught by Craig Emmerson. Andy Deacon was unable to make any real contact with his tap tackle, and Thinus Delport couldn't catch him.

The only other action of the first half was a penalty from Ludo.

The second half was probably more about Leeds. Referee Steve Leyshon, in typical fashion, had a poor game. The difference in the second half was that he was penalising Gloucester. As Leeds attacked, Gloucester defended, and the way Leyshon looked for offences it was like he wanted Leeds to score. Despite penalty after penalty, Leeds only ended up with a kick between the posts to pull the score back slightly.

Gloucester were still eager to get a bonus point , and picked up their third try just before the hour mark. The ball was spread between the backs and Tom Beim took on the last defender brilliantly. However he wasn't quite going to make it. His awareness was brilliant and a fantastic slip pass to Robert Todd sealed the try.

It was a boring game of kicking after that. Both Henry Paul and the Leeds full back seemed to think that they were training for a football match, kicking between eachover a ridiculous amount when Ludo was in the bin for an attempted spit and bad sportsmanship.

Leeds still battled though, and fantastic defence managed to keep the Tykes away from the line.

With Leicester loosing, Gloucester have opened up a 6 points gap at the top, with Sale in second. I have to say at this stage things are looking good. But you can never count your chickens with the league title this year being decided in the Zurich Final.

Final Score: Gloucester 28-10 Leeds Tykes

Attendance 10, 276