Gloucester 29 – 24 Northampton
After an embarrassing defeat away to Sale Sharks the
previous week, a number of supporters appeared to be dreading the arrival of
the league leaders at Kingsholm. With no sign of the injury crisis that has
afflicted the squad abating, Johan Ackermann was forced to make a very late
change to the starting line-up as Ed Slater suffered a dislocated finger in the
warm-up. His replacement, Jeremy Thrush had commented in the press conferences in
the week that he was focused on improving the stuttering lineout that has
plagued the Cherry and Whites this season.
Certainly when he is in the team, generally the set-piece
does perform better however it is frustrating that the weakness in the scrum
(which appears to have been fixed) has now been replaced by one in the lineout.
Too often this season, Gloucester have found themselves in good positions only
to turn over the ball – sometimes under no defensive pressure from the
opposition.
Northampton arrived at Kingsholm buoyant after 4 consecutive
victories. Their opening game defeat to Saracens apparently overcome and now
looking once again like playoff contenders. A revived George North, Luther
Burrell and Harry Mallinder, all big ball carriers with pace and guile were
probably not the opposition Ackermann would like to have seen following the
previous weeks demolition. But Gloucester have their own threats, particularly
in Henry Trinder, who now free of injury is beginning to show his undoubted
talent. Hopefully for the centre, he will remain fit and healthy and continue
is form which must be attracting the attention of Eddie Jones.
It was Trinder who opened the scoring, following a blindside
move off a scrum. Gloucester have looked dangerous all season with ball in
hand, but on so many occasions have found ways to lose the ball with the line
beckoning. True to form, a knock on at a breakdown resulted in a Northampton
attack from their own line and only an unfortunate bounce of the ball prevented
George North scoring a contender for Try of the Season. The scores were
levelled soon after anyway and much of the first half followed a pattern of
errors from both sides. Gloucester led into half time following a second
Trinder try, but his poor kick and a missed tackle by Henry Purdy gave
Mallinder his opportunity to score.
It does appear that Gloucester are a different team when at
home, if the coaching staff can work out how to bottle the intensity and desire
the side show at Kingsholm and bring it their away performances there will be a
real opportunity to reach the top 4, not just the top 6. Henry Trinder was
having the game of his life and it was his athleticism and skill that started
another move and eventual score as he claimed an Owen Williams restart.
Williams in his first home start was often excellent with ball in hand but
looked nervous over the kicking tee. It appeared he was trying to hit the ball
too hard and skewed his first 3 attempts at goal. When he did finally add the
extra two points after Billy Twelvetrees had secured a try bonus point, the home
supporters cheered with a hint of sarcasm.
Soon afterwards, Captain Willie Heinz added a fifth try
capping his own excellent performance. Under the previous management Heinz
attracted his fair share of comment and criticism from supporters. Clearly
however, the other members of the squad and the coaching team value his
contribution and when playing like this he is a fantastic asset to the club. A
section of the supporters will never warm to him, preferring a more exciting
style epitomised by Ben Vellacott. However the need for a cool head and someone
who is able to play the percentages may in these early stages of the Ackermann revolution
be vital. Vellacott’s energy and pace is very useful when defences are tiring
and his pass is probably the best of all the clubs number 9’s however he is
still inexperienced and will need time to learn where and when to make a break,
kick or take the safer option.
The final few minutes were once again tense as Northampton
fought back and Williams’ earlier missed kicks meant the Saints were only one
unconverted try from levelling. Fortunately for Gloucester, referee Wayne
Barnes spotted accidental offside at a lineout and the home side claimed their
third win of the season.
Northampton had come as leaders but didn’t perform as such.
Too many errors and unable to put pressure on the Gloucester pack meant that
their opportunities were generated from mistakes rather than sustained
pressure. They undoubtedly have some excellent players and the acquisition of
South African scrum half Cobus Reinach looks very shrewd. Harry Mallinder is
also a player who offers so much but it was noticeable when Stephen Myler
entered the fray, the Saints played with a little more purpose and poise. Very
much like Gloucester, they are a side capable of brilliant performances one
week and abject the other, but if the Cherry and Whites finish above them at
the end of the season one would assume that the minimum expectation of a top 6
finish will have been met.