Gloucester Rugby fell short in Round 1 of the Gallagher Premiership and slipped to a 34-20 loss to Northampton Saints.
The Cherry and Whites scored three tries through Ollie Thorley, Jordy Reid and Jonny May but ultimately come away empty handed from cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
What happened?
It was a tight opening first half and the Cherry and Whites took a few minutes to find their feet and get back into playing top flight rugby.
Northampton were first to get on the board through a penalty kick and soon extended their lead further thanks to a George Furbank try.
The conversion from James Grayson gave the home side a 10 point advantage but it wasn’t long before Gloucester Rugby were back in the game.
It looked like Jack Clement had got over for Gloucester Rugby but the TMO deemed there was a forward pass from Lewis Ludlow at the lineout.
Ollie Thorley was able to dot down though. It was Lloyd Evans with some silky skills in attack which led to Kyle Moyle making the break and offloading to Thorley who thundered over to score.
Two yellow cards to Jack Singleton and Jack Clement in the first half didn't help the Cherry and White effort but coming out of the half time break, the score was close at 10-5.
Gloucester Rugby got on the scoreboard first in the second half through a Lloyd Evans penalty but it was Northampton who scored the first tries.
James Grayson and Nick Auterac both got over for the home side and with the conversions added, the lead built was healthy.
In true Gloucester Rugby fashion, the Cherry and Whites used this as fuel and it was Jordy Reid who powered over from short range to get down for the try.
Lloyd Evans kicked the conversion but Northampton kept their scoreboard ticking with a penalty kick.
Grayson then went for the drop goal but Freddie Clarke charged it down and raced away. He fed Jonny May who sped to the corner but the TMO judged that he was in touch and was therefore denied the try.
However, on his second attempt a few minutes later, Jonny May was able to get over the line after a period of solid attack from Gloucester Rugby.
Northampton had the final say and it was Tom Wood who scored, much to the home fans delight, to end the game 34-20 to Northampton.
Gloucester Rugby put everything into trying to get one more score to secure the bonus point and maintained some good attack but Northampton soon had possession of the ball and kicked it to touch to end the game.
Key moment – Jonny May dots down on the second time of asking
After being denied a try, Jonny May refused to stay off the scoreboard and bounced back with a great score to touch down in the right-hand corner.
The Gloucester Rugby attack was building nicely and Jonny May received the ball with just enough space for him to wriggle and wrestle his way to the line.
What’s next?
Next Friday, Gloucester Rugby welcome Leicester Tigers to Kingsholm for the first home game of the season under the lights. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
Northampton collect the ball and hoof it off the ground to end the game.
Northampton win the penalty at the breakdown.
Furbank slots the conversion.
Tom Wood gets over for the home side.
Billy Twelvetrees finds touch.
Upon further review, James Grayson hit Jonny May with his shoulder after the try was scored. Yellow card.
JONNY MAY! Some great attack from the Cherry and Whites and Jonny May find the space to get over in the corner.
No try, lineout to Northampton.
Grayson goes for the drop goal, Clarke charges down and races away.. he feed's May who races to the corner but the TMO will need to check this!
Twelvetrees was also tackled off the ball in support of Clarke which may need looking at too.
Great work at the breakdown to steal the ball and win the penalty.
Morgan, Seabrook and Moyle and all off, on come Ackermann, Kveseladze and Hastings.
Grayson slots the home side a penalty.
Evans slots the kick.
Jordy Reid powers over from the lineout! He's got over and gets down for the try.
Meehan is off, on comes Stephen Varney.
Lloyd Evans goes for the corner.
Full front row replacements.
Harry Elrington, Jack Singleton and Fraser Balamin are off for Jamal Ford-Robinson, Henry Walker and Kirill Gotovtsev.
Also off is Andrew Davidson who is replaced by Freddie Clarke.
Conversion good.
Nick Auterac gets over for the home side. The Cherry and White defence was torn apart and the space opened up for the replacement prop to run through.
He slots the conversion for his own try.
James Grayson gets over for the home side.
Evans slots the kick.
Lloyd Evans calls for the tee.
Lloyd Evans kicks us off!
A tense opening half here in Northampton. We'll be back for the second half!
Jack Clement is sent to the bin for an infringement at the lineout maul.
The NO.8 made the intercept from the lineout and ran 50m before being brought down.
Walker off.
An excellent box-kick from Ben Meehan and we have our first 50:22!
Jack Clement comes off, on comes Henry Walker. Saints have the put in to the scrum.
OLLIE THORLEY! Lloyd Evans with some silky skills in attack. Kyle Moyle makes the break and offloads to Thorley who thunders over to score.
Jack Singleton is sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock on.
Saints steal the ball at the lineout and then win the penalty. They go to the corner...
Jordy Reid is tackled high so the Cherry and Whites win the penalty and Evans kicks to touch.
After a frantic few minutes it seems that the Cherry and Whites have settled into the game a bit more. Lloyd Evans using the inside ball in attack a lot.
It looked like Jack Clement had got over for Gloucester Rugby but the TMO has deemed there was a forward pass.
But the ball is lost at the lineout.
Northampton infringe at the lineout so the Cherry and Whites get the penalty.
Conversion good.
George Furbank breaks through for Northampton Saints. The home side had the lineout on the Gloucester Rugby 22 and pulled off a move that led to the try.
The kick is good.
A bit of an error from Jonny May who had done so well to keep the kick in. Gloucester Rugby fail to exit and Northampton win the penalty.
A speedy break from Kyle Moyle who offloads to Ben Meehan who dribbles the ball into touch.
Good play early on from Gloucester Rugby to exit from the 22 but the defence is then spread thin and Northampton attack into the 22.
Gloucester Rugby then win the penalty and exit to the 10m line where they will have the lineout.
Here we go! Northampton kick off and we are underway!!!
Good afternoon and welcome to Gloucester Rugby's opening fixture of the 2021-22 Gallagher Premiership!
We're all set at Franklin's Gardens as we play Northampton Saints, kick-off 3pm!
Stay tuned in for live updates from the game.