Tripped: Jonny May
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Gloucester clinched a 29-23 victory in dramatic fashion with a penalty try after Errie Claassens was sent off for a deliberate trip.
With 20 seconds remaining, Jonny May burst away on the left flank and reached the visitors' 22 before attempting to step inside full-back Errie Claasens, who felled the flying wing with a trip.
On the advice of the TMO Claasens was sent off and Gloucester awarded a penalty try, converted by Rob Cook, which broke Worcester hearts as they seemed set for a shock win which would have allayed their relegation fears.
Gloucester recalled centre Henry Trinder and prop Dan Murphy to the starting line-up with Mike Tindall being a very late withdrawal to be replaced by Tim Molenaar.
Worcester made four changes following last week's defeat by Northampton with wing Josh Drauniniu dropping to the bench. Chris Pennell replaced Drauniniu and there were also recalls for No 8 Blair Cowan, centre Josh Matavesi, and prop Matt Mullan.
Worcester had the first chance for points but Andy Goode's long-range penalty attempt rebounded back off the crossbar. Cook had a similar opportunity but he made no mistake to give the hosts a seventh minute lead.
Moments later, Cook was again on target with another penalty before the increasingly dominant Gloucester almost scored the opening try. A clever chip ahead from Trinder saw May just fail to win the touchdown as the ball ran into the in-goal area.
A Goode penalty put the Warriors on the scoreboard to make it 6-3 to Gloucester at the end of the first quarter before Cook had a chance to restore the six point lead but he badly mishit his penalty attempt.
Gloucester continued to control both possession and territory but with the award of frequent penalties, they could not take advantage as play was constantly disrupted.
Eventually the patience of referee, David Rose, was exhausted and he sent Worcester flanker, Sam Betty, to the bin for a dangerous challenge on Charlie Sharples.
With three minutes to go before half-time, amazingly Worcester took the lead with a splendid solo effort from Matavesi, who skipped past attempted tackles from Trinder and Darren Dawidiuk to run 22 metres for the try which Goode converted.
Stung by the reverse, Gloucester's reply was immediate, producing a counter-attack from inside their own 22 which ended with May sending Trinder in for the try which Cook converted to give the home side a 13-10 interval lead.
Betty returned from the bin but within seconds of the restart, Worcester infringed, with Mullan not releasing allowing Cook to kick his third penalty.
More ill-discipline from the Warriors, this time a late tackle from Jonny Arr on Ryan Mills, resulted in Mills stepping up to kick a penalty to put Gloucester further ahead.
Goode kicked his second for Worcester as the visitors continued to battle hard to frustrate Gloucester. Surprisingly Goode elected not to kick another penalty in favour of a speculative cross-field kick and the chance to further reduce the arrears was lost.
Goode fired wide with another penalty but Warriors regained the lead when he converted a try from Alex Grove, who had raced 20 metres after intercepting a lazy pass from Molenaar.
With 10 minutes remaining, Cook put Gloucester back in front with a simple penalty but home prop, Rupert Harden, was penalised for not rolling away for a Gray penalty before the dramatic finish ruined Worcester's hopes.
The scorers:
Gloucester:
Tries: Trinder, Penalty
Cons: Cook 2
Pens: Cook 4, Mills
Worcester:
Tries: Matavesi, Grove
Cons: Goode 2
Pens: Goode 2, Gray
Yellow Card: Betty
Red Card: Claassens
The teams:
Gloucester: 15 Rob Cook, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Mike Tindall (c), 11 Jonny May, 10 Ryan Mills, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Tom Savage, 5 Will James, 4 Lua Lokotui, 3 Rupert Harden, 2 Darren Dawidiuk, 1 Dan Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Nick Wood, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19Peter Buxton, 20 Andy Hazell, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Shane Monahan, 22 Tim Molenaar, 23 Martyn Thomas.
Worcester Warriors: 15 Errie Claassens, 14 Chris Pennell, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 David Lemi, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Jonny Arr, 8 Blair Cowan, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Sam Betty, 5 Dean Schofield, 4 James Percival (c), 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ed Shervington, 1 Matt Mullan.
Replacements: 16 Aleki Lutui, 17 Ceri Jones, 18 John Andress, 19 Craig Gillies, 20 Jake Abbott, 21 Paul Hodgson, 22 Danny Gray, 23 Josh Drauniniu.
Referee: David Rose
Comments
rugby_rockstar says...
I thought I'd throw my point of view into the pot.
I sympathise with Worcester's plight, but I feel rugby union is the winner.
Lets just take Errie Claasens' post match state of mind if he had NOT cost Worcester the match with his reckless spur of the moment trip. He'd have come away, relieved but not that bothered about his performance. Proably got a bit of good natured flak from his team mates but he'd have got away with it.
As it was the TMO did what was best for the game and left Claasens and his entire team in no doubt that trips are not acceptable in this sport. Glaws will feel justice was done and will also have learnt a lesson as to what kind of behaviour wins matches. In fact every PRL club will know the score as far as tripping goes.
In a sport where rules are deliberately twisted, grey areas exploited to the full and world famous cheats that regularly get away with cynical play are awarded IRB player of the year awards. I can't fault the TMO's decision.
Rugby Union is a sport with a unique cheater culture so I ask you, do we really want trippers to get away with it???
Posted 14:59 25th February 2013
tellitlikeitis says...
and europol, while youre at it, watch craig joubert for england v france on the 24th. At this point, the game is a pure farce.
Posted 03:27 24th February 2013
Warrior7 says...
It should have been a yellow/red and a penalty, not penalty try. Hodgson was closing in and May would have been off balance anyway from that step. You can't say that it definitely would have been scored, as 2 cover defenders (Hodgson - possibly the best cover tackling player in the prem, and Lemi who is not slow either.)
Also the question asked was about foul play, I don't remember the exact dialogue but Rose was going to give a penalty and red card, but the TMO interrupted him and pushed for a penalty try, which is overstepping his bounds IMO. But what do I know, I am a Wuss supporter after all - I should be able to live with these last minute decisions by now!
Posted 13:26 23rd February 2013
josskaman says...
it was an obvious trip, there possibly was cover with their scrum half, but Jonny May must be one of the quickest players in the AP. certain trip, certain red card. penalty try, i think so but 50/50, still would have been a penalty to glos 25 meters out to win the game
Posted 11:57 23rd February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Telitlikeitis: I didn't see it. From article looks like a trip to save the game was penalised with penalty try. Was it not BA blatant trip to save the game as infered in the article?
Posted 07:53 23rd February 2013
tellitlikeitis says...
Dodgy.
Posted 23:45 22nd February 2013
tellitlikeitis says...
Dear Europol,
now that you're finished with the football....Gloucester v Worcester, Friday 23rd February 2013.
Have a look at the ref in the Toulon game at Castres too, absolutely shocking.
Plenty of overtime there for you lads.
Sincerely, an utterly disenchanted rugby fan.
Posted 22:08 22nd February 2013