Gloucester 35-14 La Rochelle: Hosts claim top spot in Challenge Cup Pool 1
Last Updated: 08/12/16 10:55pm
Gloucester claimed top spot in Pool 1 of the European Challenge Cup with a 35-14 bonus-point victory over La Rochelle at Kingsholm.
The French side took an early lead when Kevin Gourdon dived on a loose pass to touch down but Gloucester responded through Mark Atkinson, Josh Hohneck and Ollie Thorley to lead 22-7 at the break.
La Rochelle pulled a try back early in the second half as David Raikuna broke out of a tackle to go over in the corner but two penalties from Greig Laidlaw put the game beyond the visitors' reach.
Matt Scott put the seal on victory - and secured the bonus point - by crossing from a fine angled run in the last minute ahead of next weekend's rematch on French soil.
It was far from an ideal start for the Cherry and Whites as they fell behind to an an eighth-minute score from flanker Gourdan after a period of sustained pressure from the visitors with Zack Holmes adding the conversion.
Atkinson brought Gloucester level with a converted try before Laidlaw was on target with a penalty on 24 minutes to push them 10-7 ahead.
Prop Hohneck crossed on his European debut and wing Thorley also scored before Laidlaw extended the cushion to 15 points at the break.
Raikuna's try three minutes into the second half handed La Rochelle hope of a fightback but the boot of Gloucester captain Laidlaw struck twice to give his side breathing space.
Scott's late try sealed the bonus-point as the Cherry and Whites move five points clear of their French opponents in Pool 1.
Thursday's other match between Grenoble and Ospreys was postponed because of a frozen pitch at the Stade des Alpes. The fixture has been rearranged for Friday.
