After a frustrating first half when little seemed to go right, Gloucester Rugby put a spring back in their step with a much improved second 40 minutes, clinching a morale-boosting 26-17 Heineken Champions Cup win over Connacht at Kingsholm on Sunday afternoon.
The Cherry and Whites have been on the wrong end of some intangibles in recent weeks, competing hard but coming out on the wrong end of a few tight scorelines. And, at half time today, it looked as though it might be a similar tale against Connacht.
It was actually a dream start, Tom Marshall ghosting home for an early try, Cipriani converting. But Connacht hit back immediately through John Porch, Carty adding the extras to level the scores, and the fly-half then slotted a penalty for a 7-10 lead.
The rest of the half was a frustrating combination of missed scoring opportunities and refereeing decisions going the way of the visitors. There was a concerned air around Kingsholm at half-time.
But the game turned on one key moment, as Danny Cipriani intercepted in his own 22, set off downfield and found Louis Rees-Zammit in his shoulder for the key second try.
Gloucester Rugby didn’t look back. The shackles were off, the half backs ran the game intelligently and, symbolically, the sun broke through and chased away the persistent rain.
Connacht had Kyle Godwin sinbinned, and Gloucester Rugby took full advantage as Tom Marshall and Jake Polledri went over to secure the try scoring bonus point.
The visitors kept plugging away, but had to wait until the last play of the game to score a consolation try, Quinn Roux, powering his way over from close range but it was too little, too late for Connacht.
Gloucester Rugby come away with the win!
The conversion flys over but Gloucester Rugby come away with the win.
Gloucester Rugby's defence could only hold out for so long. Connacht get over the try line and end the game on a high.
Gloucester Rugby showing real character to keep Connacht away from theittry line. However, they give away a penalty and Connacht will have a lineout 10m out.
Connacht have been knocking on Gloucester Rugby's door for the past 10 mins. The Cherry and Whites defence has been relentless and they have denied the Irish side of the opportunity to score.
Gloucester Rugby have the ball in their own 22.
The Cherry and Whites have defended solidly and have kept Connacht out for a number of phases.
How special was this from Louis Rees-Zammit?!
Ford-Robinson comes on for Balmain.
Billy Twelvetrees sent off for 10 mins.
Cipriani off for Banahan.
On comes Todd Gleave for Franco Marais.
The Irish side are looking threatening in attack. A try-saving tackle from Louis Rees-Zammit stopped a score but the pressure is still on.
Connacht have a scrum 5m out.
On comes Callum Braley
Grobler and Ackermann come off.
Ludlow and Craig come on.
The conversion is good.
Jake Polledri breaks through and goes over for the try! They have really put the pressure on Connacht who still have a man in the bin.
Gloucester Rugby are making the most of their extra man advantage. Louis Rees-Zammit makes serious yards on the right wing and is having a great game.
It's just the 5 point score for Gloucester Rugby.
Tom Marshall goes over for his second try of the game! There was lots of space and the speedy fullback showed his skill by executing to perfection.
Kyle Godwin leaves the pitch for 10 mins.
Gloucester Rugby have another scrum just over 5m out.
They are looking threatening.
What an attacking platform this is.
Simpson hits Atkinson who offloads to Harris.
Gloucester RUgby make a change in the front row.
A very close attempt.
Gloucester Rugby have been attacking well and Danny Cipriani put a chip in over the top and Tom Marshall nearly got to it. The TMO are checking if this is a try.
The Cherry and Whites are 10m out and are looking threatening in attack. Chris Harris was tackled high and Gloucester Rugby are awarded the penalty.
They have the lineout 5m out.
A beautiful little grubber through from Joe Simpson. Connacht have been pinned back in their own 22 and Gloucester Rugby win the lineout!
Something is going wrong at scrum time. It is being reset and Gloucester Rugby will have the put in once again.
Connacht looking to exploit the space out wide but the pass drifts forward. Gloucester Rugby will have the scrum just inside the away teams half.
The Cherry and Whites have really gained confidence from that last try. Atkinson is looking to offload in the tackle and the forwards are carrying with intent.
Come on!
Cipriani slots the conversion.
Danny Cipriani breaks through and offloads to Louis Rees-Zammit who goes over to score his first try for Gloucester Rugby.
THe Irish side are attacking well. They pinch the ball from the Gloucester Rugby line out and and are putting pressure on.
Gloucester Rugby win the free-kick from the scrum and Ben Morgan runs at the Connacht defensive line.
Gloucester Rugby holding on at the breakdown... Carty kicks the ball to the halfway line to give his side the penalty.
Cipriani saw some space and put the ball in behind the Connacht defense. It curled nicely on the ground and rolled out bang on the 5m line.
The rain ahs stopped and Cipriani fires the ball deep into the Connacht half.
A very close first half here at Kingsholm. It's going to be nail biting in the next 40 minutes.
What. A. Tackle.
Gloucester Rugby win the penalty and have the lineout on the halfway line.
Carty's attempt drifts wide of the post. Cipriani takes the 22 and kicks the ball directly out of play but with the clock in red the referee brings play back with a Connacht scrum on the 22.
Ben Morgan and referee Pascale Gauzere go for a chat... Gloucester Rugby giving away too many penalties. Carty points to the posts.
The referee penalizes Gloucester Rugby at the scrum. The Kingsholm fans are vocal! Connacht will have the lineout just inside the Cherry and White half.
It's looking greasy on the field. Connacht have the scrum in their own half. It's been reset a few times...
Connacht will ahve the scrum 5m out from their own try line.
Did a Gloucester player manage to get over the try line? On field decision is no.
Gloucester Rugby awarded a penalty. It's kicked 7m out from the try line and the lineout goes well. COnnacht are penalised again for a side entry at the maul and Gloucester Rugby will ahve a 5m lineout.
Atkinson is on fire! He bursts through the Connacht line and it looked like he could have passed to Simpson who was in a lot of space. The centre trips over giving the opposition time to re-group.
The ball is turned over and Connacht go through the phases before kicking to touch.
Rees-Zammit takes it quickly and Gloucester Rugby are on the front foot.
Connacht used the lineout from the penalty well but scrum-half Caolin Blade was outside of the 22 when he kicked the ball out. THe Cherry and Whites have the ball.
The Gloucester Rugby attack is really firing! Atkinson bursts through and offloads, putting his side on the front foot. The ball is shipped out wide to Ollie Thorley but again the referee penalises Gloucester Rugby for holding on.
The blood has been cleaned and the centre in back on the pitch.
Ollie Thorley made an electric break but referee Pascale Gauzere penalizes the Cherry and Whites and Connacht clear the ball and ahve the lineout on the halfway line.
Connacht putting serious pressure on the home side but Gloucester Rugby are awarded a penalty. The ball is cleared and the Cherry and Whites have the lineout just indise their half.
Gloucester Rugby attacking well but Connacht are really warming into the game.
Carty nails the kick and Connacht take the lead.
Connacht had the lineout on the Gloucester Rugby 22 ran some good attack. Gloucester Rugby are penalised again and Carty goes for the three points.
Blood replacement for GLoucester Rugby.
A high tackle on Bundee Aki.
Connacht kick deep into the Gloucester Rugby 22 from the scrum but Tom Marshall returns a kick and makes his side some serious territory.
Connacht win the free-kick at the scrum and opt to pack down again.
Tom Marshall charged down a kick on the halfway line but the referee says the ball went forward. The Kingsholm fans don't agree!
The conversion sails over and the scores are equal.
John Porch goes over for Connacht. There were gaps in Gloucester Rugby's defence and the fullback showed his skill to break through.
Gloucester Rugby use the lineout well and run a silky move from the solid platform. The ball is passed wide to Louis Rees-Zammit who offloads well to Ollie Thorley but the ball is intercepted and Connacht boot the ball down field.
Cipriani slots the conversion directly infront of the posts.
Tom Marshall breaks through the Connacht line and goes over to score for Gloucester Rugby!
Some strong attack from Gloucester Rugby. Joe Simpson looks sharp at the base and an offload from Mark Atkinson really gave his side some momentum.
Connacht win the penalty but Gloucester Rugby take the ball at the lineout.
Gloucester Rugby turn the ball over on the halfway line and Joe Simpson and Danny Cipriani look to work their attacking structures.
We're underway here at Kingsholm. Connacht kick into the Gloucester Rugby half.
Just over half an hour until kick off!