By Cherry Tree
March 23 2009

Our reflections in the weekend defeat at Worcester is a little late because we have spent a long time trying to find some consolation for Gloucester and their fans. We failed. No matter how much anybody goies on about wasted opportunities, the basic fact is that Glaws lost a game they should have won at a time when only a win would do. On this form, qualification for the play-offs is in doubt.

We'll no doubt be accused by some of being too hard on the team, but we are talking about professional players only a few days after their coach said he believed they have too much about them to make a mess of the play-offs for a third season running.
There's a danger they could make a mess of things BEFORE the play-offs.
With Marcel Garvey scoring the try and Willie Walker kicking three penalties, the game was decided by a heroic defensive display by Wuss and a lack of a cutting edge by Glaws, for whom Carlos Spencer (right) converted the penalty try and kicked a penalty.
To put it simply, Wuss got more out of the game because they put more into it.
Glaws coach Dean Ryan told the BBC: "We just butchered opportunity after opportunity and we allowed a courageous defensive side to stay in the match. "We had three or four opportunities where if we had simple passes it would have been a completely different game.
"I don't think there is a huge amount wrong but we have to take our chances."
Not a huge amount wrong? Without wanting to pillory DR too much, we suggest that losing a game which was there to be won suggests something fairly significent is wrong.
Injuries, international calls, great defence by Wusss ... blah, blah, blah.
No excuses, please. Glaws dominated possession and territory, but lost.
They only have themselves to blame,
They should still qualify for the play-offs, but only if they learn their lessons from this game - nothing can be taken for granted against any team in any game.
If they don't learn and they continue to play like this, this could turn into an even more frustrating season than the previous two.
It's the EDF semi next weekend, but in April Glaws face the three GP games that will decide their play-off fate - Saints away (not easy), Wuss home (ditto, but should win), Wasps away (easiest of the three?).

Glaws blow it as Garvey and Walker strike

Discussion started by Shedloads (IP Logged), 23/03/2009 11:36

Shedloads
23/03/2009 11:36

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Two Sheds
23/03/2009 12:00

I've found some consolation - Ireland beat Wales. Not a lot, perhaps, but it's a start.

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cheerycherry
23/03/2009 13:49

With all due respect to Wuss, Glaws should be looking to beat sides in their league position if they really want to win silverware. It is going to take a massive effort to secure a home playoff now, Glaws probably have to get a win away at either Saints or Wasps as well as beating Wuss at home.

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Two Sheds
23/03/2009 16:19

To get a home tie, they might need to win all three. It all depends on other results. The good news is that none of the three remaining games are against other contenders and Wasps and Wuss are also safe. Let's hope they feel generous!

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Old Bury Warrior
23/03/2009 21:20

We're not feeling generous at the moment. Smug yes, generous no.

Sorry!

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