Gloucester started off like a house on fire and scored an excellent opening try in the first few minutes.

However, any thoughts that such an early score would discourage Newcastle were swiftly dispelled. On the contrary, the Falcons hit back and were more than competitive for the rest of the first half, perhaps even considering themselves unlucky to trail at the break.

However, Gloucester took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half and, as Newcastle's indiscipline rose, Nicky Robinson piled up the points.

It was apparent why Newcastle have been successful at places like Bath and London Irish as they gave Gloucester plenty to think about throughout the game.

Gopperth was an excellent playmaker and the South Sea Islanders in the back row, Afu and Levi, punched their weight around the park.

However, Gloucester paid a smart game. They moved it around when they good but played a tactical game when the weather turned. It was a day for a big effort up front and the Gloucester eight didn't disappoint.

The win and the return of a number of players, from injury and internationals, mean it was a good afternoon to be a Gloucester supporter at Kingsholm.

The crowd were quickly into the game as an up and under from Rory Lawson gave Lesley Vainikolo a chance to smash his opposite number and the big Tongan didn't hesitate, forcing a turnover.

Gloucester started well, showing an admirable desire to get the ball wide when possible in heavy conditions with the Falcons' defence living on the offside line to get up quickly.

But it was the catch and drive that carved out the first score. Newcastle were on the back foot as Fuimaono-Sapolu crashed through, Attwood carried on and quick ball right gave Morgan the chance to put Charlie Sharples in unopposed for his third try in two games. Robinson landed an excellent conversion and Gloucester were off and running.

It was a confident opening from Gloucester. Lawson looked sharp around the fringes and Fuimaono-Sapolu was showing quick feet in the midfield.

However, the Falcons fashioned the next scoring opportunity as they finally got some possession and worked the phases before Gloucester came in at the side of a ruck. Gopperth kicked the penalty with ease. 7-3 after 15 minutes.

A short period followed with neither side able to really assert themselves but Gopperth was given another penalty opportunity on 21 minutes when his pack forced a penalty from a set scrum and the fly half made no mistake for 7-6.

Gopperth was increasingly becoming influential and his break on 25 minutes very nearly led to an opening try for Newcastle. Gloucester just scrambled back and a fight off the ball brought play to an end at the expense of a 5m scrum to the Falcons and a knock on relieved the pressure.

It had been an impressive comeback from the visitors after a poor start as Gloucester were kept pinned back in their own 22 and only handling errors were letting Newcastle down.

Gloucester responded with another well executed catch and drive which sucked in the Falcons' defenders and forced a penalty on the 10m line which Robinson kicked with style to ease the nerves a little.

Obviously buoyed by the score, Gloucester were quickly going forward again and Fuimaono-Sapolu's quick hands out of the tackle gave Somerville a rumble forward. Newcastle killed the ball but Robinson's penalty was just wide of the mark.

And Newcastle gave Gloucester a scare by finishing strongly with the impressive Gopperth pulling the strings. It was backs to the wall stuff to keep the line intact but the defence held and it was a 10-6 lead at half time. Quite how significant that defensive stand would prove to be was unknown at this point.

It had been an excellent start for Gloucester but Newcastle had bounced back from their early setback and showed exactly why they have been so competitive on the road so far this season.

A real arm wrestle developed in the second quarter and it was everything to play for after the break.

And the battle with little to choose between the sides continued in the opening exchanges of the second period until Fuimaono-Sapolu's break in midfield got Gloucester going forward.

Sharples was tracked down as he went for the corner but Gloucester recycled and maintained possession until Charlie Amesbury conceded a penalty and Nicky Robinson made it 13-6.

Conditions were worsening with heavy rain starting to come down but Robinson duly made it 16-6 with a long range penalty three minutes later as powerful running out wide from Akapusi Qera forced the Falcons into conceding another penalty.

And his fourth penalty of the day duly followed to extend the lead to 19-6 as the Falcons illegally used hands in a Gloucester ruck on the Newcastle 22.

Worrying moments followed as Qera was left seemingly unconscious on the turf following a big collision. The Fijian international had been excellent on his return to the starting line up and great care was taken with his medical treatment. But, after a lengthy delay, Qera was stretchered off to be replaced by Luke Narraway.

Gloucester responded well and a kicking error from the hitherto excellent Gopperth gave Redpath's men good field position in the Falcons' 22. The forwards drove it on but Robinson missed his drop goal attempt to let Newcastle off the hook.

Going into the final quarter, handling was starting to become hazardous in the greasy conditions but Gloucester very nearly fashioned a blindside score with Simpson-Daniel and Morgan involved but a Falcons hand got in the way as the line loomed.

So, the forwards took matters into their own hands and drove deep into the Newcastle 22. With referee Debney playing advantage for collapsing the maul, Robinson dropped a neat goal for 22-6.

Newcastle showed great spirit by kicking for the corner with the clock against them but the home defence was ferocious in the tight.

But, a well worked backs move saw Tu'pulotu reverse the angle of attack and replacement Alex Tait ghost his way in to score. Miller's conversion made it interesting at 22-13 with three minutes to play.

However, any lingering doubts were quelled as the Gloucester forwards forced yet another penalty out of their Newcastle counterparts and, with no time left on the clock, Robinson's fifth penalty completed the scoring.

The win is Gloucester's second in a row at Kingsholm and leaves Bryan Redpath's side in good spirits as they prepare to head north for the first leg of the Heineken Cup double header against Glasgow Warriors on Friday evening.