Gloucester Rugby continued their pre-season campaign with a 38-36 win against Ealing Trailfinders at Kingsholm on Saturday.
With a large squad, the Cherry and Whites were able to get some valuable competitive minutes into their legs ahead of the start of the Premiership season in two weeks’ time.
Gloucester Rugby were the dominant side in the first half and scored three tries through Kyle Moyle, Tom Seabrook and Jonny May.
Ealing were solid opposition for the whole 80 minutes and stayed in the game in the first half with two tries before really pushing on in the second half.
At the break, Gloucester Rugby made a few changes but were the first to pounce and scored a try thanks to a snipe from Ben Meehan at the base.
A penalty try and a score from Jake Morris gave the Cherry and Whites a bit of breathing space but Ealing stayed in the fight and came back into the game thanks to four second half tries.
With just two points in it at the end, Ealing were in possession but the Cherry and Whites’ defence held strong and in the end it was a good test for the home side late on in the game to hold out and secure the result.
Key moment – Billy Twelvetrees makes a break
In the first half, Billy Twelvetrees made a break and made a dash for the try line. With the Ealing defender hot on his heels, Billy quickly offloaded to Jonny May who was in space and was able to get over for the try.
What’s next?
Gloucester Rugby conclude their pre-season campaign next weekend as they hit the road to take on Coventry on Saturday 11 August.
That's it, Gloucester Rugby hold on to secure the win!
Great defence from the Cherry and Whites forcing Ealing back.
Ealing get over the line through. Tadgh McElroy gets over for his second.
Bill Johnston adds the extras.
Ealing get over again. They made a great break and the Gloucester Rugby defence was on the backfoot for the rest of the game.
Ealing Try for Tadgh McElroy. Conversion wide.
Adam Hastings slots the conversion.
TRY! Jake Morris gets over the line for the Cherry and Whites. Jason Woodward had time on the ball and floated it out to the winger who scored.
Jason Woodward, Jack Reeves, Alex Morgan, Arthur Clark, Kirill Gotovtsev and Harry Taylor are all on.
Kyle Moyle, Jordy Reid, Andrew Davidson, Billy Twelvetrees, Ollie Thorley and Fraser Balmain are all off.
Louis Hillman-Cooper is on for Tom Seabrook.
Penalty Try
Gloucester Rugby dominate the drive and secure the penalty try.
Jake Morris and Charlie Chapman are on for Jonny May and Ben Meehan.
Jordan Burns with the try for Ealing.
Ealing field a box kick which is collected by Jonny May who launches an attack from the 22. Ollie Thorley ends up with the ball on the other wing and boots it down the field and into touch.
Freddie Thomas has taken a knock so Wian Conradie comes onto the field in his place.
Ben Meehan snipes from the base and gets over the try line. What a perfect start!
On
Todd Gleave
Jamal Ford-Robinson
Will Britton
Ben Morgan
Adam Hastings
Off
Jack Singleton
Harry Elrington
Lloyd Evans
Jack Clement
Arthur Clark
Max Northcote-Green gets over for the visitors.
Ealing get over the line. Angus Kernohan with the score.
Jonny May gets over for the Cherry and Whites. Billy Twelvetrees made the original break but didn't have the pace to get over the line. Conversion attempt goes wide.
Tom Seabrook crashes over from short range to get over for the Cherry and Whites.
A good drive but the maul is forced into touch.
Ealing off their feet at the breakdown. Billy Twelvetrees goes for the corner.
Great work at the breakdown from Jack Clement. He's secured the turnover for Gloucester Rugby.
Jonny May made an intercept and sprinted half the length of the field to dot down and score but referee Craif Maxwell-Keys has brought play back for a penalty to Ealing.
Great work at the breakdown from Jordy Reid. He's secured the turnover penalty. Cherry and White lineout on halfway.
They put boot to ball and have the lineout in the Cherry and White 22.
TRY!!! A great move from the backs creates space for Kyle Moyle who collected the ball from Ollie Thorley who then went over to score.
Gloucester Rugby penalty. Evans goes to the corner.
A solid box kick from Ben Meehan. Ealing spill the ball forward and Gloucester Rugby will have the scrum just outside the Ealing 22.
Cries of "Eeyy-orrr" from the Shed.
Singleton throws the ball in and then collects it again and makes a break. The Cherry and Whites make significant ground and now have the scrum on the Ealing 5m line.
The Cherry and Whites have plenty of possession and make a good start,
Lloyd Evans gets us underway here at Kingsholm!
Good afternoon and welcome to Kingsholm Stadium as we welcome back a capacity crowd for the first time in over 18 months. The stage is set and in just a few moment time, we will be underway on our new pitch.
We're so pleased to have you back with us, but if you can't be at the stadium today, we will be updating you with live updates throughout the match.