Gloucester increase their chances for Aviva playoffs as they defeat Saints
Gloucester retained their third place in the Aviva Premiership table as they defeated the fourth place Northampton Saints on Tuesday April 19, 2011.
Both teams played with each other at Kingsholm, Gloucester. The match promised some action as both times were fighting to confirm their places in the playoffs of the Aviva Premiership. Gloucester win over the Northampton Saints at 27 – 15 has provided Gloucester
a five-point lead over the Northampton Saints.
This is the Gloucester’s 12th win out of 20 games and has 62 points under their belt. Gloucester Rugby failed to score a try bonus point as they manage to score three tries only. Earlier, Saints booked their place in the Heineken Cup semi finals after defeating
the Newcastle 22 – 15 but failed to earn a point of the match. Saints now have to show better performance in their future matches to ensure their place in the playoffs.
Gloucester Rugby and Northampton Saints slowly build up the game as both teams were fighting for the ball possession. Gloucester Rugby was impressive with their defence throughout the game however; Saints were first score in the match.
During the 9th minute, Northampton Saints Prop Alex Waller scored the first try of the game. Gloucester came replying through Centre Tim Molenaar’s 13thminute try to level the scores. Gloucester Full Back Freddie Burns scored the conversion to put the Gloucester
in lead. Burns further extended the lead with his 19th minute penalty. Saints Fly Half Shane Geraghty reduces the deficit to just two points with his 24th minute penalty.
Charlie Sharples, Gloucester Wing scored a try during the 26th minute followed by Burns conversion to give Gloucester seven points lead. Both teams fought hard to put further points on board however; they were unable to do so as both teams leave the field
with scorecard reading 17-8 in favour of Gloucester.
Gloucester started the second half with higher intensity as they kept pressure on the Saints defence, at the same time Gloucester were flawless in the defence. Gloucester extended their lead by 10 points in span of three minute with Burns penalty (47th minute),
Olivier Azam’s 51st minute try followed by Burns conversion.
Gloucester thereafter lead failed to score put denied easy scoring to Saints. Saints only score of the second half came with Lee Dickson’s try followed Geraghty’s conversion during the 71st and 72nd minute respectively. Saints also denied Gloucester to earn
a try bonus point as they kept them scoreless for 28 minutes.
Both teams have two more games to play and Saints need to win both of their remaining games to secure a place in the Aviva Premiership’s play offs.
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