Toulouse overcome Gloucester by 21-17 after tough battle in Heineken Cup - Rugby News
Clement Poitrenaud snatched a hard fought victory from the jaws of Gloucester as he scored an all important try for Toulouse in their first match of the Heineken Cup 2011. Toulouse were down to 14-17 with just eight minutes left in the final whistle but
thanks to the full-back who saved his side from total collapse on November 13 at Stade Ernest Wallon. Gloucester dominated the home side throughout the game but fell short in the end. They were once leading with 10-0 in the first half.
Freddie Burns opened the campaign for visitors Gloucester very quickly in the match and put his sine in an initial lead. They were further hailed by Charlie Sharples with a well executed try in the 31st minute of the encounter. Peter Burns had
not wasted the opportunity to push his side into unanswered double figures with a conversion goal.
With eight minutes to go in the first half, charged-up Toulouse was trailing by 10-0 and from here onward they really picked their game up and minimised the score difference to 10-8 at the interval. Luke McAlister and Timoci Matanavou respectively scored
a penalty and try goals for their team.
McAlister put his side in the lead for the first time against Gloucester in the clash after the break with a three pointer. The guests bounced back in the match just in time and occupied the driving seat with the help of Henry Trinder and Burns. They led
the battle by a slight margin of 17-14 with the last 10 minutes remaining in the game. However, the match was later hijacked by Clement Poitrenaud with a wonderful try. Toulouse clinched an important victory in the end by a comprehensive margin of 21-17.
Toulouse: 15 Clément Poitrenaud, 14 Timoci Matanavou, 13 Yann David, 12 Florian Fritz, 11 Yves Donguy, 10 Luke McAlister, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Shaun Sowerby, 7 Sylvain Nicolas, 6 Yannick Nyanga, 5 Romain Millo-Chluski, 4 Yoann Maestri, 3 Census
Johnston, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Jean-Baptiste Poux.
Replacements: 16 William Servat, 17 Yohan Montes, 18 Johnson Falefa, 19 Grégory Lamboley, 20 Nicolas Vergallo, 21 Yannick Jauzion, 22 Lionel Beauxis, 23 Gillian Galan.
Gloucester: 15 Olly Morgan, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Mike Tindall, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Alasdair Strokosch, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Peter Buxton, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Will James, 3 Rupert Harden, 2 Darren
Dawiduik, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Dan Murphy, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Luke Narraway, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Tim Taylor, 23 Jonny May.
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