Gloucester clinch LV= Cup
Gloucester put the near misses of the last two years behind them to lift the LV= Cup with a 34-7 triumph over Newcastle Falcons.
Last Updated: 20/03/11 6:53pm
Gloucester put the near misses of the last two years behind them to lift the LV= Cup with a 34-7 triumph over Newcastle Falcons on Sunday.
After losing to Northampton Saints in last season's final and Cardiff Blues in 2009, the Cherry and Whites finally secured the season's first piece of silverware with a comprehensive victory over the Falcons.
Gloucester, despite missing their international contingent, performed strongly throughout the encounter at Franklin's Gardens in Northampton.
They opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Tim Molenaar's offload sent Tom Voyce clear to cross in the left corner.
Fly-half Nicky Robinson opened a solid kicking display with a magnificent left-footed conversion to add the extras and make it 7-0.
Robinson extended the advantage on 21 minutes with a penalty after the 2004 Anglo-Welsh cup champions were caught offside.
Superb
Jimmy Gopperth narrowly missed closing the gap moments later, sending a long distance effort from the halfway line just wide.
Gopperth missed another on 34 minutes and Robinson shot wide on the stroke of half-time.to leave his side leading 10-0 at the break.
Newcastle began the second half brightly, but Robinson struck the next blow with a penalty on 52 minutes.
Gloucester's second try came seven minutes later, after a superb move down the blindside, masterminded by Robinson, allowed Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu dart through a gap in the Falcons' defence and go in under the posts.
Robinson struck the conversion before Charlie Sharples shot down the right flank to bounce over in the corner in the 67th minute. Robinson again converted.
Luke Eves crossed to give the Falcons a late try and Gopperth converted but Gloucester answered with a catch-and-drive score by Darren Dawidiuk to cap a well-deserved victory.
