HEINEKEN CUP: Gloucester 12 Cardiff 16 Attendance: 14,916 GLOUCESTER BOSS Dean Ryan delivered a damning verdict after his underachieving team lurched to the verge of Heineken Cup elimination. A Kingsholm defeat against 14-man Cardiff Blues – they had wing Tom James sent off midway through the first half for butting prop Olivier Azam – means Gloucester will struggle to progress as one of two best runners-up.
Unbeaten Pool Six leaders Cardiff march into the last eight as group winners and will also guarantee themselves top seed status if they defeat Italian strugglers Calvisano next Friday night.
Gloucester, in contrast, need a bonus point win in Biarritz and then require other results to work in their favour. Ryan said: “It wasn’t good enough. We are coming second in these head-to-head contests at the highest level. It has got to change. We can’t keep getting found out.”
Gloucester couldn’t make their numerical advantage count as substitute lock Bradley Davies powered over for Blues’ winning try four minutes from time.
Fullback Leigh Halfpenny kicked three penalties and a conversion, and Gloucester had to settle for a losing bonus point after leading 12-6 through four penalties by Olly Barkley.
Cardiff are now the only team in this season’s tournament with a 100 per cent record after five group games.
Gloucester’s shambolic kicking game though, meant they were unable to capitalise, failing to stretch Blues’ six-strong back division which featured tireless, determined chasing work from the likes of centre Jamie Roberts and wing Gareth Thomas.
GLOUCESTER: Walker; Balshaw, Watkins, Barkley, Simpson-Daniel; Lamb, Cooper; Dickinson; Azam, Nieto; Bortolami; Brown; Strokosch, Satala, Narraway. Replacements: Allen for Watkins (61), Lewis for Cooper (60), Wood for Dickinson (55), Titterrell for Azam (67), James for Bortolami (47).
CARDIFF BLUES: Halfpenny; G Thomas, Shanklin, J Roberts, James; N Robinson, Spice; Jenkins, G. Williams, G. Powell; D. Jones, Morgan; Molitika, M. Williams, A. Powell. Replacements: T. Thomas for G. Williams (67), Filise for G. Powell (57), Rush for A. Powell (63). Sent Off: James (28).
Referee: A Lewis (Ireland).
