What Happened?
It was a nail-biting end to the game and it was a try from George Barton, with the clock deep in the red, that secured the win for the Cherry and Whites over their European rivals.
Gloucester Rugby started the game well and it was Louis Rees-Zammit who went over first in what was a team try after an electric break from Kyle Moyle and a looping pass from Mark Atkinson over the top saw the Welshman wrestle over to score.
The Cherry and Whites were also awarded a penalty try not long after and both Rob Herring and Alan O’Connor were yellow carded giving George Skivington’s side a two man advantage.
Mark Atkinson was next to get over for Gloucester Rugby and scored a try from a lineout in which all the backs joined the maul to drive the ball over the line.
Lloyd Evans was accurate from the tee all game and couldn’t even miss when the wind was blowing against him. The ball seemed to stop dead in the air but it hit the crossbar and dropped over adding the extras to Atkinson’s score.
However, Ulster were always in the game and it was a penalty try after a Louis Rees-Zammit knock on that kept the Irish side in the game. John Cooney then scored an excellent individual try in which he ran half the length of the pitch to dot down for the visitors.
It was Gloucester Rugby who were then awarded a penalty try in a similar way to the one Ulster had been given which set up a tense final few minutes which saw Barton come on and seal the victory for Gloucester Rugby.
Kingsholm was roaring and although there were only 2000 in attendance, the stadium was rocking.
Key moment – George Barton’s try
George Barton kept a place in the match day 23 after an impressive individual performance last time out against Lyon. He came on late in the second half for an injured Chris Harris and it was his try at the death, his first European try, which secured the win for Gloucester Rugby who’s Champions Cup hopes remain very much alive.
What’s next?
Gloucester Rugby are back in action on Boxing Day when they travel down to Sandy Park to face Exeter Chiefs in Round 4 of the Gallagher Premiership.
WHAT A GAME!
GEORGE BARTON!!!!!!
Gloucster Rugby were so close but the ball goes forward. We go back for the penalty...
Deep in the Ulster half...
On their own 22. PENALTY! Come on Glaws!
Just outside of the Gloucester Rugby 22.
Harris is off with what looks like a foot injury. On comes George Barton.
COME ON GLAWS!
PENALTY TRY
PENALTY TRY!
Evans goes to the corner!
The Cherry and Whites are going forward in attack.
Trinder is on for Sharples. Walker is on for Singleton and Zammit returns from his yellow card.
Cooney converts his own try.
Cooney's scored. Somehow he found space down the wing and went half the length of the pitch to score.
TMO...
Seville replaces Rapava-Ruskin.
He slots it and Ulster take the lead.
Chapman is off for Venner.
Cooney lines us a shot at goal.
Jamal Ford-Robinson and Alex Craig are on from Knight and Alemanno.
Nagle-Taylor is on for Ackermann.
PENALTY TRY
PENALTY TRY
Yellow card to Louis Rees-Zammit for a deliberate knock on. Ulster are also awarded a penalty try.
The referee is happy with the challenge and we resume play with a Gloucester Rugby scrum.
A potential dangerous tackle here from Jacob Stockdale. The referees are having a look.
Cooney adds the extras.
The Ulster attack slices through the Cherry and White defence and Lowry gets over for a try...
Matthew Rea and Tom O'Toole are on.
WOW! Evans fired the ball into the wind and it looked like it wouldn't go over but it hit the crossbar and edged over!
What a start to the second half! A great set piece at the lineout and maul sees Mark Atkinson get over for the try.
Evans kick us off. The heavens have opened here at Kingsholm...
He stopped a certain try but has then given away a penalty at the breakdown.
Unlucky for Cooney but Kingsholm erupts with cheers! Gloucester Rugby have the scrum on halfway and are now going forward in attack.
Some good attacking play from Gloucester Rugby but they give away a penalty. Cooney lines up a 50m kick at goal.
John Cooney slots a penalty from the touchline.
John Andrew is on for Matt Faddes as they need a front row after the yellow card.
Penalty try so the conversion was added.
Another yellow card!
PENALTY TRY!
Herring is sent to the bin for repeated penalties.
This time it's at the lineout! Evans puts the ball into the corner again.
Evans adds the three points. Gloucester Rugby take the lead.
Great work at the maul from Gloucester Rugby. Ulster illegally stop it so we go back for another Cherry and White penalty. This time Evans lines up a shot at goal.
Evans puts the ball into the corner. Gloucester Rugby will have a 5m lineout. COME ON GLAWS!
Some great attacking play from Gloucester Rugby in the Ulster 22. They kept inching forward but the ball has been spilled forward so Ulster will have the scrum.
Great defence from Gloucester Rugby but the referee says they were offside. Ed Slater turns the ball over at the lineout and the Cherry and Whites clear their lines.
Phew!
Cooney adds the extras.
Billy Burns scores a try for Ulster. The Gloucester Rugby defence held well but the former Cherry and White player found a gap and went under the posts to score.
Lloyd Evans adds the extras!
LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT! What a try of a great attacking period from Gloucester Rugby. Atkinson with the looping pass over the top to the flying winger who wrestled over to score!
A great move at the lineout but Gloucester Rugby are penalised so Ulster are now attacking with the ball on halfway.
That's defence! Great work from the Cherry and Whites. Gloucester Rugby win the lineout on halfway and are now attacking with another penalty advantage for a high tackle on Lloyd Evans.
Burns fires the ball to touch and Ulster will have the lineout in the Gloucester Rugby 22.
European Champions Cup action at Kingsholm! Former Gloucester Rugby player Billy Burns gets us going!
Mark Atkinson faced the media ahead of the fixture. Here's what he had to say!
Just under 15 minutes until kick off!
Hello and welcome to Kingsholm! We're all set to keep you up to date with Round 2 of the European Champions Cup. Gloucester Rugby host Ulster this afternoon and it's set to a cracker. The sun is shining and the pitch is looking immaculate.
Kick off is at 15:15 so get ready to cheer the Cherry and Whites on!!!