Gloucester comeback stuns Saracens 36-32 in Anglo-Welsh Cup thriller
By Paul Vinnell
Last Updated: 05/11/16 8:28pm
David Halaifonua's last-minute try completed a stunning comeback as Gloucester beat Anglo-Welsh Cup holders Saracens 36-32 in a thrilling game at Kingsholm.
Saracens led 25-5 at half-time and looked in total control, but the hosts scored three tries in the last quarter to snatch a remarkable victory.
Tom Whiteley scored two tries for the visitors while Tom Griffiths and Ben Spencer got one each with Spencer converting one and kicking two penalties. Whiteley added two conversions to give the visitors a handsome lead by the interval.
But Gloucester came storming back in the second half. Mat Protheroe sent Thomas over and Henry Purdy finished off after some sustained pressure for a third try with Evans' conversion putting the home side right back in contention.
The remarkable comeback continued when Halaifonua scored the bonus-point try and a further conversion from Evans brought Gloucester to within a point with 20 minutes remaining.
Whiteley ensured Saracens had some breathing space by scoring his second try but Gloucester soon responded when they were awarded a penalty try after the visitors dragged down a driving line-out.
As a result, Saracens' skipper Kelly Brown was yellow-carded but the visitors looked to have hung on until Halaifonua's late effort stunned them.
In the day's other Anglo-Welsh Cup game 14 points from the boot of Nick Evans made the difference as Harlequins beat Exeter 29-15.
There was good news for the Chiefs, though - and potentially England - as Dave Ewers put in a powerful performance on his return from a long-term knee injury.
