It took a frustratingly long time to break down a persistent Worcester side, but Gloucester Rugby finally found their groove at Kingsholm on Friday evening and ran out comfortable winners in this Gallagher Premiership clash by 36 points to 3.
It genuinely looked as though this was going to be a frustrating night at the office for the Cherry and Whites. The first half saw two tries disallowed and the Warriors concede a host of penalties in the red zone without even a hint of a yellow card being shown.
To rub salt into the wound, they took a 0-3 lead via a Duncan Weir penalty from their only real attack. Gloucester Rugby pummelled them from that point on, but their only reward was a Danny Cipriani penalty on the stroke of half-time.
Howls of indignation had echoed around Kingsholm as the home fans evidently disagreed with many of the refereeing decisions and the Worcester tactic of slowing the game down at every opportunity.
And the third quarter of the match followed very much the same script until, finally Ruan Ackermann crashed over from close range and the shackles were off. Louis Rees-Zammit will capture headlines for his two tries, but perhaps his greatest contribution was the bit of skill that set up Chris Harris for his score.
Latching on to Cipriani’s cross kick, he managed to stay in the field of play, kick ahead, re-gather and then offload to Harris who finished in the corner for a stunning try.
Ben Morgan then muscled his way over from close range to secure the try-scoring bonus point, and anyone tuning in at that point would have wondered what all the fuss was about!
There was still time for Rees-Zammit to make the most of a Worcester error as he coasted over in the corner for his second try that saw the Cherry and Whites move up to third place in the table for the time being and send their fans home in good spirits for Christmas!
What a result for Gloucester Rugby.
A bonus-point victory!
The perfect Christmas present.
The conversion is good!
Louis Rees-Zammit gets over to score Gloucester Rugby's fifth and a second of his own.
What a performance for the Cherry and Whites and the youngster as well!
Amongst all the drama of the tries, Gloucester Rugby have made some changes.
Twelvetrees, Ford-Robinson, Joe Simpson, Gleave, Grobler and Hohneck are all on!
Cipriani slots the conversion.
Gloucester Rugby can't stop scoring! Ben Morgan bustles his way over the try line and the Cherry and Whites now have a healthy lead.
The conversion is good.
Louis Rees-Zammit picks up a kick and runs over to score!
So much pace!
Those two Gloucester Rugby tries have really fired up Worcester. However, the Cherry and Whites strip the ball and start an attack of their own.
It's been awarded! What a score!
If this is a try then it's a serious contender for try of the season.
Louis Rees-Zammit dribbles the ball like a footballer before picking it up and offloading in a wizardry fashion for Chris Harris to score.
Danny Cipriani adds the extras to extend Gloucester Rugby's lead.
At last!
Ruan Ackermann gets over for Gloucester Rugby.
All the time spent camped on the try line has paid off!
They have been so close on a number of occasions.
They have the scrum 5m out and will look to force themselves over here.
Ryan Mills leaves the field for 10 mins after going off his feet at the breakdown. Gloucester Rugby were inches away from scoring.
Very frustrating.
Gloucester Rugby look threatening in attack but a knock on ends their momentum. Warriors clear their lines and Gloucester Rugby have another chance to attack from the Worcester 22.
Ben Morgan was tackled off the ball. Cipriani puts the ball 10m out and Gloucester Rugby will have the lineout.
Chants of "Gloucester" echo around Kingsholm.
The referee called maul and Gloucester Rugby managed to hold it up long enough for Worcester to be unable to play it. The Cherry and Whites will ahve the scrum.
The Warriors have kick-started their attack and are finding space but the Cherry and White defence forces them backwards.
Franco Marais puts in a massive tackle in the midfield but a penalty is awarded to Worcester. It's a slow game at the moment.
The Cherry and Whites turned the ball over and Cipriani put in a kick behind the Warriors' defence. Pennell collected the ball and put it to touch giving Gloucester Rugby the lineout on halfway.
Gloucester Rugby going to ground at the scrum. Weir boots the ball down the field and Warriors will have the lineout on the 22.
Not a great start to the half.
Worcester knock the ball on giving the Cherry and Whites the scrum on the halfway line.
A nervous start from both sides but the game is sure to open up.
Weir kicks us off and Gloucester Rugby have possession deep in their own half.
Gloucester Rugby will be disappointed not to have scored a try in that half.
Worcester defended well but we still have 40 mins to go.
Grab a drink and some food and get ready to join us for the second half in a few minutes.
Danny Cipriani slots the penalty and we go into half time with the scoreboard level.
On comes Charlie Sharples for Ollie THorley.
Strong attack from the lineout but Cipriani puts a kick through which dribbles off the field.
Worcester had given away another penalty so the referee has brought us back.
Cipriani puts the ball 7m out. Gloucester RUgby will have the lineout.
Worcester drift offside once again and the Cherry and Whites will have the penalty on the halfway line.
Gloucester Rugby light up the field with their attacking play.
Ollie Thorley smashes through the defence.
Ackermann wrestles his way through.
Gloucester Rugby looking strong.
The Warriors clear their lines but Gloucester Rugby defend well and force play back into the away sides half.
After significant time 5m out from the Worcester try line Gloucester Rugby come away with nothing as the knock it on. Worcester have the scrum 5m out from their own line.
Worcester sealing the ball at the breakdown. The Cherry and Whites will have the penalty on the 22. There is some concern as Louis Rees-Zammit stay on the ground after a tackle but he's up and ready to carry on.
Gloucester Rugby have a chance to equalize after Warriors drift offside. Cipriani lines up the kick.
It hits the post...
How unlucky.
Gloucester Rugby got away with one there.
Worcester crawl their way up the pitch and Gloucester Rugby have been penalised for a side entry at the breakdown. Weir lines up another kick at goal...
Gloucester Rugby were within inches. However, the referee has awarded the home side a penalty.
Worcester have the scrum on their own 5m line. They'll look to clear the ball away but it will be hard from that angle.
Kingsholm is vocal about that one!
"Booo!"
They take the lineout from the 5m line but have been forced back in attack. However, Worcester brought the maul down illegally so Gloucester Rugby will ahve another penalty 5m out.
We're checking for a try here.
Ben Morgan thinks he's scored but referee Chrisophe Ridley is having a look.
Another penalty goes to the Cherry and Whites.
THis time they will ahve the lineout 5m out.
Come on Glaws!
Tempers flare but Gloucester Rugby come away with the penalty. They will have the lineout in the Warriors 22.
Tom Marshall is on fire!
He's weaving his way in and out of the Worcester defence.
Gloucester Rugby putting in some solid attack but Thorley drops the ball giving Worcester the scrum.
Considering how much it rained earlier the pitch is in great condition but the ball is still a bit greasy.
Gloucester Rugby win a game of kick tennis. The Cherry and Whites will have a lineout deep in the Worcester half.
They kick the ball deep into the Warriors 22 but lose the ball at the lineout.
The Gloucester Rugby fly-half plucked the ball from Worcester's attack. Rees-Zammit chases after the kicked ball but Worcester come away with the ball.
Gloucester Rugby attacking well, Tom Marshall saw some space and shifted the ball to Louis Rees-Zammit who put in a kick which was picked up by Willi Heinz.
The TMO checked the score and deemed that Heinz was in front of the kicker...
So, so close.
Weir kicks the three points giving Worcester and early lead.
Melanii Nanai sees some space and makes a break down the left-wing.
Gloucester Rugby are penalized for going off their feet at the breakdown and Weir lines up a kick at goal...
Gloucester Rugby not rolling away but the kick to touch doesn't make it and the homeside have the ball.
The away side are looking threatening in attack. Both Francois Hougaard and Duncan Weir are playing well. The Warriors make a break and put pressure on in the 22 but Gloucester Rugby turn the ball over and clear it down field.
Worcester kick the ball giving Gloucester RUgby possession. A clever kick doesn't find its target so Worcester have the lineout on half way.
Worcester have been forced into their own 22. Solid defence from the Cherry and Whites.
Danny Cipriani kicks deep into the Worcester half.
The Shed is buzzing, the players are about to come out and the rain has stopped! What more could you want on a Friday night?
Not long to go before we get underway here at Kingsholm.
We're set to keep you up to date with all the action.