Gloucester Rugby came alive in the second half and took the bonus point victory over Newcastle Falcons at Kingsholm on Saturday, a result that sees the Cherry and Whites climb to 10th in the Gallagher Premiership.
What happened?
Tries from Louis Rees-Zammit, Ruan Ackermann, Lloyd Evans and two Willi Heinz scores ensured victory over a competitive Newcastle side who went into half time 14 points ahead of Gloucester Rugby.
Newcastle scored three tries in the first half to establish a solid lead. No.8 Callum Chick went over for two with George McGuigan also scoring for the visitors. Fly-half Brett Connon was accurate from the boot and slotted all conversions giving the Falcons 21 points at the break.
Louis Rees-Zammit showed how threatening Gloucester Rugby can be in attack and scored an incredible try showing both speed and strength to get over the line after receiving the ball from a Mark Atkinson offload just inside the Falcons’ half.
Lloyd Evans curved the ball to perfection to slot the conversion ensuring the Cherry and Whites the seven point score.
In the second half Gloucester Rugby really hit their stride. Within a few minutes Stephen Varney made a break and managed to offload to Ruan Ackermann who went over to score.
Gloucester Rugby launched an attack from a scrum in their own 22 and Santiago Carreras made a break, passing to Louis Rees-Zammit who showed his pace before offloading to Willi Heinz who went over for his first.
A later attack saw Evans get over the line before a final try was scored after Ruan Ackermann put the chip through and Heinz had the pace to collect the ball and get over the line for his second.
Key moment – Lloyd Evans gets over the line
On his return to the starting 15, Lloyd Evans had an incredible game and scored a try after he seemed to just slip through the Newcastle defence to get over. Converting his own score, and every other kick he took at goal, Evans had a strong performance and everyone will hope that the injury which brought him off the pitch isn’t too serious.
What’s next?
Gloucester Rugby are back in action on May 8th when the Cherry and Whites travel away to Northampton Saints after a rest week.
What a result! Gloucester Rugby secure the bonus point win over Newcastle to move up to ninth if the league.
Billy Twelvetrees slots the conversion.
WILLI HEINZ gets over for Gloucester Rugby. Ruan Ackermann put the chip through and Heinz had the pace to collect the ball and get over the line.
Kyle Moyle forces the Newcastle defender into touch giving Gloucester Rugby the lineout.
Twelvetrees is on for Evans.
Socino is on for Singleton.
Lloyd Evans converts his own try.
Lloyd Evans slips through and gets over to put Gloucester Rugby ahead.
Matt Garvey is on for Ed Slater.
A massive tackle from Chris Harris is then followed up by a turnover from the centre. What a cracking set of play from Harris.
Jordy Reid is on for Jack Clement.
Connon adds the three points.
Evans was offside?
Evans' conversion draws the score level.
WOW. Gloucester Rugby launch an attack from the scrum in their own 22. Carreras makes a break and passes to Louis Rees-Zammit who showed his pace before offloading to Willi Heinz who went over to score.
Great defence from Santiago Carreras to charge back and tackle Luther Burrell. The ball spills forward so it's a Gloucester Rugby scrum.
Evans goes to touch again. 5m out this time.
Varney is off, on comes Willi Heinz.
Great defence. Newcastle not releasing. Evans goes to touch and launches a rocket of a kick to get the ball 10m from the Falcons' line.
Lloyd Evans slots the conversion.
TRY TIME. Stephen Varney makes a break and manages to offload to Ruan Ackermann who goes under the posts to score.
Newcastle in front of the ball. Evans goes to touch. Gloucester Rugby lineout on the Falcons' 22.
Lloyd Evans kicks us off for the second half.
Gloucester Rugby 7 - 21 Newcastle Falcons
Very frustrating. Newcastle do well to defend their line and will clear the ball to touch. Gloucester Rugby come away from the Newcastle 22 empty handed.
Come on Glaws.
Another lineout... How many more of these?
Another lineout...
Evans goes for the corner. Gloucester Rugby lineout 6m out.
Here we go. The Cherry and Whites launch an attack. Louis Rees-Zammit makes a break and offloads to Stephen Varney who was brought down 10m shy of the line.
Off feet at the breakdown. Newcastle go to touch.
May is now off with an ankle injury. On comes Santiago Carreras.
Jonny May has been getting his hands on the ball plenty and is looking threatening. Evans puts in a cross field kick but it's not gone to hand.
The conversion is good.
Newcastle tap and go and it's Callum Chick who gets over for his second.
Ludlows offside. Newcastle tried to use the advantage but again the defence was too strong. Newcastle tap and go.
Referee deems that there was nothing wrong. Newcastle have a scrum to restart the game.
TMO just looking at how Ford-Robinson entered this ruck...
The conversion is good.
George McGuigan scores for Newcastle.
Evans slots the conversion.
What a finish! Louis Rees-Zammit with an incredible score showing his speed and strength to get over the line. The winger took the ball from Atkinson and got over to put Gloucester Rugby on the score board.
Gloucester Rugby with a good shift at the scrum. Newcastle offside. Gloucester Rugby penalty. Evans goes for touch. Cherry and Whites deep in the Newcastle 22.
Brett Connon slots the conversion.
Newcastle get over the line after a perfect kick to touch put Newcastle 5m out. Winning the lineout, the visitors had too much momentum for the Cherry and Whites to stop them. Callum Chick managed to get his way over for the score.
Newcastle are awarded a penalty and initially play with the advantage but the Gloucester Rugby defence does well. We go back for the penalty. Connon goes kicks to touch.
A solid start from Gloucester Rugby. A good early exit and solid defence. Evans clears to touch so Newcastle have the lineout.
Here we go! Newcastle's Brett Connon get us underway here at Kingsholm.
Not long to go now! Just over 10 minutes until kick off.
A late change. Val Rapava-Ruskin fails a late fitness test so Jamal Ford-Robinson will start at loose head with Conor Maguire brought onto the bench.
Check out our matchday programme. Click on the link and read for free.
Check out the latest episode of the Gloucester Rugby podcast!
Good afternoon and welcome to a sunny Kingsholm! What a glorious day for some running rugby.
Gloucester Rugby host Newcastle Falcons in Round 17 of the Gallagher Premiership and you can keep up to date with all of the action by folling our live updates here.