Gloucester storm to summit
November 29 2008
Gloucester continued on their pre-Christmas charge with a maximum 33-10 victory over Northampton on Saturday - and it was five forgotten Englishmen who stole the show at Kingsholm.
Ahead 20-3 at the break thanks to tries from Iain Balshaw, Luke Narraway and Olly Barkley, the Cherry and Whites sealed the five points upon their return with Lesley Vainikolo crossing to add to Ryan Lamb's thirteen points from the tee.
The Cherry and Whites now lead the table by two points from West Country rivals Bath.
Northampton have been blowing hot and cold during the league campaign, excelling to secure a 28-28 draw at home to Bath in a brilliant match last weekend yet looking ordinary in losing 14-13 to Bristol.
The Saints had not won since their September 20 home victory over Wasps by 24-20 and had secured only three points - a losing bonus point and that draw - since that triumph.
Gloucester started the better even though they suffered the loss of centre Anthony Allen after just three minutes, although his replacement was not the worst in England international Barkley.
It was Barkley who gave Gloucester the opening try of the match when he popped an excellent pass to fellow centre Mike Tindall who dashed through the Northampton defence, gave it to wing Vainikolo on the wing and then inside to full-back Balshaw to cross and make it 8-0 after Lamb's earlier penalty.
By 20 minutes, the hosts were beginning to impose their authority as their wealth of international experience again came to the fore, with Barkley again involved as he sent Alasdair Strokosch to the line before the Scot fed England number eight Narraway.
Lamb converted but, finally, after 24 minutes the Saints got their first score when full-back Stephen Myler booted a 25-metre penalty.
The Saints were also their own worst enemy. The possession they managed to secure and the attacking chances created were either squandered or they gave away penalties and free-kicks.
So it was no surprise when the enterprising home team got their third try when Saints captain Bruce Reihana was unable to stop Barkley from getting over on the stroke of half-time.
Northampton were never negative though, and a few times put Gloucester under pressure. And eventually that persistence paid off when flank Scott Gray crept in at the corner.
Myler's conversion put Northampton back in with a chance of the victory and they had the better of the third quarter.
But Gloucester secured a bonus point when Barkley again provided the inspiration with a kick on the left that Vainikolo chased to score in the corner.
Two Lamb penalties late on sealed the decisive victory.
The scorers:
For Gloucester:
Tries: Balshaw, Narraway, Barkley, Vainikolo
Con: Lamb 2
Pen: Lamb 3
For Northampton:
Tries: S Gray
Con: Myler
Pen: Myler
Gloucester: 15 Iain Balshaw, 14 Matthew Watkins, 13 Mike Tindall (c), 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Dave Lewis, 8 Luke Narraway, 7 Alasdair Strokosch, 6 Peter Buxton, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Will James, 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Olivier Azam, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Adam Eustace, 19 Apo Satala, 20 Rory Lawson, 21 Olly Barkley, 22 Willie Walker.
Northampton: 15 Stephen Myler, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Bruce Reihana (c), 12 James Downey, 11 Paul Diggin, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 Ben Foden, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Scott Gray, 6 Mark Easter, 5 Christian Day, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Tom Smith.
Replacements: 16 Paul Shields, 17 Barry Stewart, 18 Soane Tonga'uiha, 19 Alex Rae, 20 Mark Hopley, 21 Lee Dickson, 22 Nils Mordt.
Referee: Rob Debney
Touch judges: Bob Mullis, Roger Baileff
Assessor: Ed Morrison
Television match official: Matt Peters