Comfortable for Gloucester

Gloucester scored twice as their recent improvement in form continued with a comfortable 17-5 LV= Cup win over Worcester at Kingsholm.

The Cherry and Whites touched down in each half through full-back Freddie Burns and flanker Akapusi Qera, with fly-half Nick Robinson also kicking seven points.

Warriors' wing Chris Pennell scored a late consolation try in a match which lacked the intensity seen in the two sides' 13-13 Guinness Premiership draw earlier this month.

Despite both sides having little chance of progressing to the semi-finals of the competition, coaches Bryan Redpath and Mike Ruddock both elected to pick strong line-ups.

The early minutes of the match lacked pattern but Gloucester started to press forward and their reward came in the eighth minute when Robinson kicked a simple penalty.

The visitors responded with pressure of their own with powerful centre Sam Tuitupou proving a handful, although poor passing hindered their attempts to respond.

Winger Rico Gear might then have touched down had the final pass not been aimed too high and Willie Walker also missed a 40-metre drop goal.

Gloucester exploited the missed opportunities by scoring their first try in the 27th minute after a flowing move across the pitch which, despite the hint of a knock on from a Gloucester forward, ended with Burns crossing in the corner.

Robinson converted superbly from the touchline for a 7-0 lead, before missing a simple penalty attempt.

Out of position

They continued to go on the offensive as the second half got under way and quick thinking from hooker Olivier Azam at a line-out caught Worcester badly out of position.

Lesley Vainikolo then made inroads but Gloucester were not able to extend their lead from the resulting penalty - Robinson once again wide with an easy kick.

They continued to press though and the result this time was the sin-binning of Worcester flanker Chris Cracknell for an offence at a ruck just 45 minutes into his debut.

The Warriors could then have come back into the game as Robinson made errors in quick succession, firstly failing to field a Chris Latham up-and-under before having a clearance kick partially charged down.

But on both occasions Gloucester were able to regroup and clear their lines.

Cracknell returned with the scoreboard further untroubled but another poor pass from Worcester, this time from Pat Sanderson to Gear, again put them under pressure.

This time, however, the home side took advantage with Qera finishing off a good passage of play for the home side with a try which Robinson converted.

Worcester's consolation came with five minutes remaining and was touched down by Pennell following a strong run which ended their best movement of the match.