Gloucester vs Wasps match report: Gritty Gloucester blot out Wasps’ swarm

Gloucester 13 Wasps 10

Nathan Hughes of Wasps is tackled by Greig Laidlaw of Gloucester (Getty Images)

If Gloucester have been seeking confirmation of a gradual improvement this season, here it was. They ended the six-game unbeaten run of Wasps, the country’s form team who they had not beaten for four years, and they thoroughly deserved to move into the top half of the Premiership table, even if they lived dangerously near the end.

Looking to run down the clock behind their own scrum, Gloucester lost control of the ball, which gave Wasps the chance to work the position for a Jimmy Gopperth drop goal. But the New Zealander pulled his attempt wide and the chance of a draw was gone. Given that Gloucester had seen a stream of players retire prematurely, either limping or on a stretcher, they were entitled to celebrate.

Three had gone before half-time but nothing was allowed to impact on the game plan, which was clearly to cut off Gopperth from his powerful three-quarters. Billy Twelvetrees led the defensive line magnificently, confining Wasps – such an attacking threat all season and now linked with a move for Wallaby Kirtley Beale – to narrow channels in which the likes of Nathan Hughes and George Smith could make only limited headway.

There was a touch of old-school rigour to Gloucester during an engrossing match that warmed Kingsholm hearts on a cold day. They dominated possession and territory against “the most complete team in the Premiership”, in the words of David Humphreys, their director of rugby. Matt Kvesic claimed an honourable draw with Smith at the breakdown, there were two invaluable lineout steals late in the day and Gloucester boasted the stronger scrum.

Greig Laidlaw kicked the first of his penalties with only three minutes gone and converted a try by Richard Hibbard in which Charlie Sharples made a significant intervention. But Gopperth’s penalty kept Wasps in the hunt and when Christian Wade, beating three defenders, scored a splendid try just after the interval, it seemed Wasps were on their way back.

However, Laidlaw’s second goal put just enough daylight between the teams and, for once, the visitors could not claw their way back.

Gloucester: R Cook (B Burns, 6; C Braley, 66; C Sharples, B Meakes, B Twelvetrees, H Purdy (H Trinder, 20); J Hook, G Laidlaw (capt); P McAllister (Y Thomas, 32), R Hibbard (D Dawidiuk, 66), J Afoa (P Doran-Jones, 68), T Savage (M Galarza, 63), J Thrush, S Kalamafoni, M Kvesic, R Moriarty (L Ludlow, 63).

Wasps: R Miller; C Wade, C Piutau, S Piutau, F Halai; J Gopperth, D Robson; M Mullan (capt; S McIntyre, 63), E Shervington (A Johnson, 58), J Cooper-Woolley (L Cittadini, 58), J Cannon (B Davies, 52), K Myall, S Jones, G Smith, N Hughes (A Rieder, 69).

Referee: L Pearce (Devon)