Gloucester thrash top-four rivals Harlequins at the Stoop

Colin Newboult

Gloucester's Jason Woodward breaks free to score the first try during the Gallagher Premiership match at Twickenham Stoop, London.

Danny Cipriani was in wonderful form as Gloucester moved closer to third place Harlequins in the table following a 29-7 triumph at the Stoop on Sunday.

Quins have a strong home record but they were slack and the Cherry and Whites, who were well marshalled by half-backs Willi Heinz and Cipriani, were outstanding.

Johan Ackermann’s men opened up a 17-0 lead at the interval through Jason Woodward and Ruan Ackermann tries, while Billy Twelvetrees added a penalty to his brace of conversions.

They kept their foot on the throat in the second period as Tom Marshall and Cipriani crossed the whitewash to seal an impressive win and cement their position in the Premiership.

Paul Gustard’s men have been on an excellent run of form but they were comprehensively outplayed by the West Countrymen, who dominated from the start.

Cipriani was typically excellent and his ability to create space constantly got the visitors on the front foot. Quins struggled defensively and they found themselves 14-0 down early on via a couple of superbly worked scores.

The first came via Woodward, who received the ball out wide after some slick handling, before he bounced off Mike Brown’s weak tackle to touch down.

Ackermann then followed the full-back across the whitewash as Ollie Thorley continued his fine form by breaking through and passing to Marshall. The right wing and Franco Mostert maintained their momentum, which left the back-rower free to go over unopposed.

It was thoroughly deserved and, despite the hosts briefly threatening which led to a yellow card for Marshall, Ackermann’s charges remained in control. They duly earned a penalty towards the end of the half and Twelvetrees made sure Gloucester held a 17-point buffer at the break.

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Quins were lifeless in the opening period and Gustard would have sought a response, but it never materialised and the Cherry and Whites dominated.

They were duly rewarded with their third try as another excellent attack resulted in Marshall scampering down the right to score.

It effectively sealed the victory but they went in search of the bonus-point their play deserved and it came when the brilliant Heinz and Cipriani combined for the fly-half to touch down.

The Londoners had the final say as Nathan Earle went over but it was a chastening afternoon for Gustard’s outfit.