Gloucester
won the Challenge Cup after surviving a late onslaught from Edinburgh
to clinch a 19-13 victory at the Twickenham Stoop.
The battling win, which looked in doubt after centre Bill Meakes was sent off for a high tackle on Sam Beard, means their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions Cup are still alive at the expense of Aviva Premiership rivals Sale and Harlequins.
Scrum half Greig Laidlaw, with 14 points, proved the match winner against his former side, whilst captain Billy Twelvetrees produced the sole Gloucester try in the first half.
The Kingsholm outfit dominated the opening proceedings and duly went ahead when Twelvetrees went over after good link up play between James Hook and Jonny May.
The Scottish side kept within touching distance through the boot of Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, but it took until Meakes was dismissed for an off-the-ball challenge for the momentum to really change hands.
Ross Ford’s try proved in vain as Gloucester held on despite their numerical disadvantage, meaning they will face a play-off on May 23 for a place in next year’s premier European rugby competition.
The battling win, which looked in doubt after centre Bill Meakes was sent off for a high tackle on Sam Beard, means their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions Cup are still alive at the expense of Aviva Premiership rivals Sale and Harlequins.
Scrum half Greig Laidlaw, with 14 points, proved the match winner against his former side, whilst captain Billy Twelvetrees produced the sole Gloucester try in the first half.
The Kingsholm outfit dominated the opening proceedings and duly went ahead when Twelvetrees went over after good link up play between James Hook and Jonny May.
The Scottish side kept within touching distance through the boot of Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, but it took until Meakes was dismissed for an off-the-ball challenge for the momentum to really change hands.
Ross Ford’s try proved in vain as Gloucester held on despite their numerical disadvantage, meaning they will face a play-off on May 23 for a place in next year’s premier European rugby competition.
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