Gloucester
Cup final defeat, but no disgrace, for Glaws
Bucko on the run
By Cherry Picker
March 22 2010
The outcome might have been the same, but it would be virtually impossible to pick two more contrasting displays than Gloucester’s in their two consecutive Anglo-Welsh cup finals. A narrow defeat against Northampton may not be easy to take – but it was a lot less unpalatable than last year’s embarrassing, humiliating, excruciating hammering against Cardiff Blues.
So some progress has been made, but it’s not enough yet to tempt many Glaws fans to get too excited. 
However, those who went to Wuss to watch Sunday’s nerve-tingling 30-24 defeat were at least entertained. Only lovers of the wildest horror stories could have got as much from the 2009 version.
In a game missing a string of internationals, Glaws went into the game as second favourites, but once Akapusi Qera went over to open the scoring we knew it wasn’t going to be a walkover for anybody.
Two tries gave Saints a half-time lead, but Glaws grabbed it back with a penalty try and might have had more had Nicky Robinson’s “try” not be been disallowed, only for Northampton to pinch their win with another try.
It was a great game and a credit to both clubs, but Glaws coach Bryan Redpath was – thank goodness – far from satisfied.
He told the BBC: "It is never easy, losing finals. It was a game that could have gone either way.
"Nicky Robinson said he'd scored in the second half, but that's life.
"We didn't control possession well enough and there were one or two little errors, but credit to Northampton."
Credit to the Cherry and Whites too – after some of the games witnessed on the international scene in recent weeks, it was the sort of cup final that restores faith in competitive rugby.
The Glaws performance had commitment, effort and determination, but as Redpath says there were errors that cost them dearly.
So Glaws lose another all-or-nothing game – it’s something they and their fans have had to get used to.
The difference this time is that they might have won, played a part in a spectacle and were by no means disgraced.
Hopefully Leeds will feel the backlash when they come to Kingsholm this weekend.
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22/03/2010 12:20
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Fair play to Saints who did just about enough but the fact that Glaws were capable of putting the wind up them shows there is (hopefully) more to come from this Glaws squad.
