(Photo credit - Martin Bennett / Gloucester Rugby)
Gloucester Rugby managed to hold off a late Wasps comeback to secure a 35-33 bonus point victory at the CBS Arena on Friday night.
What happened?
It was a freezing cold November evening, but the Cherry and Whites scored four tries and came away from Coventry with the bonus point win.
Jonny May was the first to get over the line after Adam Hastings put in a good chip over the top which set up the attack which saw the England winger score.
The Scottish international was accurate from the tee as well and slotted the conversion as well as two penalties in short succession to open up the scoring nicely.
Despite the strong start, Wasps were still in the game and proved this through a clever move at the lineout which saw Thomas Young dive over to score.
However, Gloucester Rugby were next to land a blow and it was Billy Twelvetrees who collected the short ball from Mark Atkinson and ran all the way to the line to score his first of two tries.
Wasps had the final say of the half and Gabriel Oghre got over for the home side just before the break. Jacob Umaga’s conversion put them right back in the game with the score 12-23.
In the second half, Twelvetrees went over for his second try, and Hasting’s conversion gave the Cherry and Whites a healthy lead.
Jack Clement also went over from the driving maul to make up for a try that was chalked off in the first half but Wasps were rampant and were on the comeback.
A try from Alfie Barbeary and Jacob Umaga made things really close going into the final few minutes.
With just over a minute on the clock, Umaga scored another great try to set up a tense finish. Nailing the conversion, there were just two points in the game with just seconds left.
Wasps were awarded a penalty but the Gloucester Rugby defence was strong and Wasps were forced to make a knock on. Hastings collected the ball and booted it to touch to end the game much to the relief of the Cherry and White fans in attendance.
Key moment – Billy Twelvetrees gets over for his second
Billy Twelvetrees and Mark Atkinson linked beautifully with each other throughout the game but it was the set up to Billy’s second try which was really special. The centre collected the short ball and went over to score!
What’s next?
Gloucester Rugby are back in action next Friday night when we take on Bristol Bears at Kingsholm. Get your tickets here!
A very close finish but we come away with the bonus point win!
Hastings gets the ball and kicks to touch to end the game. That was close!
The clock is in red. They go for touch.
Conversion is good. Two pints in it...
He's got over... Umaga scores a great try... This is close.
Conversion good.
Umaga gets over for Wasps' bonus point score.
Yellow card for May. Illegally stopping their attack.
Knock on from Wasps. We have the scrum in the middle of the field.
Freddie Thomas is on for Andrew Davidson.
That maul is a weapon! Jack Clement drives over for our bonus point try! Yes!!!
Wow! Jonny May puts great pressure on Umaga who kicks to Thorley. We then win the penalty. Hastings goes to the corner...
Balmain is on for Gotovtsev.
Evans is on for Moyle.
Reid is on for Alemanno.
Wasps knock the ball on so we will have the scrum.
Chapman is on for Meehan. Socino is on for Singleton.
Conversion is good.
Alfie Barbeary gets over for the hosts.
And we're marched up the field for talking back to the referee.
Rapava-Ruskin is off for Ford-Robinson.
Hastings adds the extras.
Twelvetrees gets over for his second try of the game! It was his inside centre Mark Atkinson who set him up with another great offload on the inside. Beautiful.
Wasos collapse the maul so we have the penalty. Hastings goes to the corner.
Bassett makes a great break but we are too strong in defence. Ludlow gets over the ball and we win the penalty. Hastings goes for the corner and we will have the lineout on half way.
Gopperth is on for Le Bourgeois.
He's looking electric tonight. His chip through had just a bit too much on it though. Wasps 22 drop out.
A good attacking stint. It comes to a bit of a hault so Hastings drills the ball to touch.
Here we go then! Adam Hastings kicks off and we are away!
What a tasty first half! We'll be back for more in the second half. Time to defrost for a bit!!!
Umaga adds the conversion.
Gabriel Oghre gets over for the home side just before the half time break.
Hastings kicks the penalty. We extend our lead.
A good kick from Hastings to go to the corner.
Wasps launch an attack but Lewis Ludlow makes a great tackle and forces the ball forward from Wasps hands. We have the scrum.
We creep offside. Wasps are given an easy exit.
It looked like Jack Clement had scored but we go back for the original lineout as the wrong team threw it in! Gutted for Jack.
Conversion good.
BILLY TWELVETREES!!! Mark Atkinson with a short pass to Twelvetrees who ran through on the line all the way to the try line! What a try!
Wasps spill the ball forward in attack. We have the scrum just inside their half. Big shift please boys.
But we are then penalised at the breakdown. Wasps have the penalty and will have the lineout on halfway.
Wasps pull off a good move at the lineout and Thomas Young dives over to score.
Umaga goes to the corner and Wasps have their first real opportunity.
It was a long kick but he's nailed it!
Tackle off the ball from Le Bourgeois. The tee is on.
A great shift at the scrum from the forward pack. Hastings goes to touch and gives us the lineout.
Hastings slots the penalty.
Wasps creep over in the lineout so we come back for the penalty. Ludlow calls for the shot at goal.
Looked like a neck roll on Ben Meehan. Hastings goes for touch. We have the lineout.
Hastings adds the extras.
What a try! Adam Hastings put in a clever chip and Jonny May ends up breaking through the defence and makes it all the way to the try line!
A few errors from both sides so far. Wasps knock the ball on in attack so we have the put in to the scrum in their half.
Cold hands out there? Wasps try to get the ball through the hands but it ends up in touch.
We look good on the ball but Atkinson misses Singleton and the ball goes to touch. Wasps ahve posession but we've pinched it back!!
The ball hasn't stopped in the opening 3 minutes! Maybe the players are trying to stay warm!!! Wasps launch an attack but they pass the ball forwards so we have the scrum in our half.
Here we go! Jacob Umaga gets us underway!!!
Our wingers have swapped shirts!
Ali Crossdale and Marcus Watson are both out injured. So that means Matteo Minozzi comes in to start at fullback with Francois Hougaard starting on the wing. Sam Wolstenholme comes in on the bench.
We've made the trip up the motorway and have stepped out of the car to a very cold CBS Arena! We are all set though to keep you up to date with all of the action with kick off for this Gallagher Premiership clash at 7:45pm.