Gloucester started their European Challenge Cup campaign with determination, overcoming challenging weather conditions to secure a narrow 15-10 victory over Edinburgh at Kingsholm. The match was tightly contested, and a vital second-half try from Albert Tuisue was pivotal in clinching the win for Gloucester after the halftime score was tied at 7-7.
Seb Blake initially put the hosts on the scoreboard with a try, but Edinburgh quickly equalized through Wes Goosen. Gloucester’s scoring was completed by Santiago Carreras, who successfully converted Blake’s try and added a penalty. Edinburgh, while leaving with a consolation bonus point, contributed to the scoreline with a conversion from Ross Thompson and a penalty from Ben Healy.
In another match, the Dragons faced Montpellier in adverse conditions and were narrowly defeated 18-14. The Dragons fell behind early, with Montpellier scoring two tries and two penalties to lead by 18 points. Madosh Tambwe and Marco Tauleigne were key contributors to Montpellier’s initial success. However, the Dragons displayed resilience by scoring tries through Taine Basham and Angus O’Brien, who successfully converted both. Unfortunately, they were unable to maintain their momentum in the second half, leading to their defeat.
This weekend’s matches showcased the competitive spirit of the tournament and highlighted the challenges that teams must overcome, particularly in tough weather conditions. Despite the setbacks, both Gloucester and the Dragons demonstrated commendable fighting spirit that bodes well for their upcoming fixtures.
Overall, Gloucester’s successful start in the European Challenge Cup offers hope for a strong campaign ahead, while the Dragons can take encouragement from their ability to rally after a challenging start.
Leave a comment