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Wasps misery for Melville

Wasps 44 Gloucester 9

Wyn Griffiths
Thursday 11 April 2002 00:00 BST
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Gloucester's Nigel Melville returned to his old hunting ground of Loftus Road last night but left defeated as the West Country outfit were outclassed by his old side.

The new director of rugby at Gloucester, who ended his six-year reign with Wasps six weeks ago, could only look on as his old side ran in five tries. The defeat also virtually means the league leaders Leicester have won the Premiership title for a fourth successive year.

Alex King kicked two penalties and converted Josh Lewsey's try, before Gloucester could get on the scoreboard.

Three penalties from Ludovic Mercier hinted at a revival for the visitors, but a delightful run from King sent Stuart Abbort in to quash those hopes.

Gloucester's Robert Todd and Wasps' Paul Volley were then sent off after a brawl.

Trevor Leota added a third try for Wasps after the break and when Rob Fidler was sin-binned to reduce Gloucester to 13, Martyn Wood and Mark Lock went over to complete the rout.

Wasps: Lewsey; Roiser, Waters, Abbott, Sampson; A King, Wood; Dowd, Leota, S Green, Shaw, Jones, Worsley, Volley, Dallaglio. Replacements: Friday, W. Green, Logan, Denney, Lock, Beardshaw, Mackenzie.

Gloucester: O'Leary; Albanese, Fanolua, Todd, Beim; Mercier, Gomarsall; Collazo, Fortey, Deacon, Fidler, Cornwell, Forrester, Boer, Paramore. Replacements: Yachvili, Paul, Ewens, Azam, Pucciarello, Sewabu, Pearce.

Referee: A Rowden (RFU).

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