By Cherrybomb
October 28 2002

It all started to look bad when Adam Eustace was sent off after just 3 minutes, but Gloucester refused to collapse. They produced a spirited, passionate performance, but despite going in at half time in the lead, they couldn't hold Wasps back. Wasps 23 - 16 Gloucester. After just 3 minutes, the referee showed red. Eustace was caught attempting to stamp on an opposition player, and the referee correctly sent him to the changing rooms. What goes through someone's mind to make them commit such an obvious act of bodily harm in front of the referee no-one will ever know, especcially when it costs your team the game.

Wasps took the lead through the boot of Alex King, but Mercier equalled after a terrific pack drive. The match was a spectacle for fans of the game, with everything; passion, pace, guile, strength, detemination and organisation.

30 minutes in to the match Gloucester took the lead. As the ball was span through the midfield from a scrum, Terry Fanolua spotted a gap and drove through unopposed to go under the posts. Mercier kicked the conversion, to give them a deserved 10-3 lead.

Mouth of the match has to go to Lawrence Dallaglio, who spoiled an enthralling game of rugby. After every referee's decision he would have his piece to say. There needs to be more action taken against these sort of people, as they can influence the pace of the match and the referee's leniancy. This is the sort of thing that a yelow card is for.

It was then Wasp's turn to control the game. The repeatedly broke through the Gloucester defence, but were always held up by last gasp tackles. The trouble was the defence was tired, and as half time approached Wasp's found themselves with men over out wide, and Mark Van Gidbergen went over in the corner.

Mon of the match, as opposed to mouth of the match, would have to go to our own Phil Vickery. he showed why he is captain as he encaptulated the passion and pure effort of the Gloucester team. At every break he would get the team as pumped up as possible for the next phase of play.

Despite two James-Simpson Daniel breaks, Gloucester could not increase the lead, and went in at half time two points up. Wasps 8-10 Gloucester.

Soon after the restart Wasps retook the lead. Alex King had gone of with what looked like a serious injury, and Kenny Logan had stepped up to kick a penalty. He got to kick again soon after, when Josh Lewsey broke through on the wing to score.

Mericer brought Gloucester within reach again with a penalty after Lawrence Dallaglio was finally sent to the sin-bin. However, they could not make any more of the opportunity, and Wasps sealed the match with a Simon Shaw try.

Gloucester did not make the journey to come home with nothing, and they fought and fought until the final whistle. Henry Paul was given the chance to give Gloucester a bonus point in injury time, and he cooly slotted the penalty.

Final Score: London Wasps 23 - 16 Gloucester.