Photos (c) Martin Bennett / Gloucester Rugby

Gloucester Rugby ended 2022 with a bang as they edged out London Irish 8-6 with a last minute Santi Carreras penalty.

The Cherry & Whites produced most of the pressure in the opening ten minutes, turning to their maul which they’ve used so effectively in the opening half of the season. But a couple of mistakes at crucial moments let the visitors off the hook.

Gloucester’s bruising ball carriers were creating holes in midfield. Ruan Ackermann and Lewis Ludlow had brought the Cherry & Whites to within 5 metres of the Exiles’ line, and they finally crossed when Argentinian second-row Matias Alemanno crashed over from close range.

Santiago Carreras had moved back to fly-half after being shifted to full back against Tigers last weekend, and he had taking over kicking duties with Adam Hastings missing the game. The Los Pumas star couldn’t add a tough conversion though.

The game had slowed down with injury breaks for Santiago Socino and Alex Craig who both left the field. We wish them all the best for their recovery.

Paddy Jackson got Irish’s first points on the board with fifteen minutes of the first period to go. He landed a penalty from in front of the posts after Gloucester defenders were caught offside.

Gloucester thought they had a second try of the evening when Lewis Ludlow dotted down. The Irish player had spilt the ball over the line and the Cherry & Whites skipper seemed to have taken full advantage. But after a long TMO interjection, the score was ruled out.

Albert Tuisue was shown a yellow with ten minutes left on the clock for a high tackle. Jackson kicked the penalty to push the Exiles ahead for the first time in the game.

But when Irish were penalised for not rolling away with second left on the clock, Carreras stepped up to seal a dramatic victory at Kingsholm.

Ollie Thorley, making his return from a long term injury, was voted your Stowford Press Player of the Match.

The Cherry & Whites welcome a star studded Saracens side to Kingsholm on Friday 6 January 2023, in their first game of the new year.

Tickets for that game are available here.

Carreras penalty in overtime sees Gloucester Rugby beat London Irish

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