Photos (c) Martin Bennett / Gloucester Rugby
Gloucester Rugby travelled to North London in good spirits after an opening round victory over Nottingham in the 2023 Premiership Rugby Cup. The hosts came into the game off the back of a defeat to the hands of Coventry, however fielded a more experienced 23 for the game at the StoneX Stadium.
Saracens started the game on the front-foot and almost scored within seconds of the kick-off thanks to a charge down from Callum Hunter-Hill. However, impressive scrambling defence from debutant Englefield forced the error. Although, it wasn’t long before the hosts did get the opening score, an initial break from Olly Hartley was finished by Tom Willis who bundled over from short-range. Vunipola added the extras. 7-0.
The Cherry & Whites settled into the game well after the opening score and had much of the ball. Despite a strong Saracens defence, the visitors did cross the whitewash in the 21st minute thanks to Jake Morris. It was patient build-up play from the Gloucester pack before Barton and Llewellyn combined to send Morris over in the corner. 7-5.
Saracens found a reply before the breakthrough Nick Isiekwe who punctured a gap in the Cherry & White defence and raced in unopposed from the 22. Vunipola added the extras to extend the lead to 14-5.
The North London side thought they had another when Lewington gathered Vunipola’s grubber and raced towards the corner, but Josh Hathaway did well to scramble back to force his opposite man into touch and the half-time score remained at 14-5.
Ioan Jones entered the field for the second half in place of Josh Hathaway. Jones a graduate from the Gloucester Rugby Academy having been involved with the Club since the age of 14.
A frantic start to the second half saw Louis Hillman-Cooper go over in the corner with a sensational finish from the young centre. The Academy product found space in the Saracens defence and rounded the full-back to score from 40m out. No conversion. 14-10.
Saracens hit straight back after a penalty from the kick off gave Vunipola the opportunity to kick three points for the hosts on the 44th minute, but it wasn’t long before the Cherry & White had their third try of the game. After a scrum penalty on half-way, Barton pinned Saracens back into the corner and Jack Clement scored from the resulting maul, with Barton adding the extras. 17-17.
Vunipola nudged his side back in front on the 55th minute, adding three more points from the tee. 20-17.
The game's next score didn’t come until the 67th minute, as Gloucester Rugby got over the line after a couple of unsuccessful rolling maul attempts on the Saracens line. As the ball went into the lineout, the maul motored towards the line and Seb Blake was awarded the score. Barton converted from the touchline to make the score 22-24 to the visitors.
The Cherry & Whites didn’t stop there either! With minutes remaining on the clock, superb defence kept Saracens at bay before Ben Donnell found a gap and combined excellently with Jake Morris and George Barton to send the fly-half over to wrap up the game in the 79th minute. Full time: Saracens 20 – 29 Gloucester Rugby.
