Bourgoin cooked at Kingsholm

Gloucester took full control of Pool Two thanks to an emphatic 51-27 success over French side Bourgoin at Kingsholm.

The Cherry and Whites scored six tries to move within a bonus-point victory of the knockout stages with two group games still to play.

They are also in pole position to finish as top seeds, guaranteeing a home draw against the second of two best runners-up, if they beat the Ospreys and Ulster.

For Bourgoin the dream of a quarter-final place is over, meaning an eighth successive Heineken Cup pool stage exit.

Their slim hopes of a rare success on their travels were blown away by half time as the home side tore them apart with another impressive display in Europe.

Benjamin Boyet briefly kept the visitors in touch with two early penalties to counter three successful shots at goal from Ryan Lamb.

Double trouble

However Bourgoin then leaked two tries in four minutes - the first coming in unfortunate circumstances when referee George Clancy missed a forward pass in the build up to flanker Akapusi Qera scoring.

There were no doubts surrounding Gloucester's second touchdown though as number eight Gareth Delve crossed out wide.

Lamb converted both to make it 23-6 and Bourgoin's situation looked bleak when they were reduced to 14 men by the sin-binning of Damien Fevre.

They did actually manage the next score themselves through Matthieu Nicolas but soon conceded again when Iain Balshaw slid over to make it 30-13 at the interval.

Gloucester secured the winning bonus point just seven minutes after the break when Balshaw's replacement, Willie Walker, managed a superb solo score.

The New Zealander's weaving break was followed by a try for Lamb when he intercepted opposite number Boyet's pass and sprinted clear unopposed.

Brave

To their credit, Bourgoin battled on bravely and managed a second score through Jean-Philippe Genevois - one that caused the Volcano to erupt.

Lesley Vainikolo - back in action after returning from New Zealand where had attended a family bereavement - rounded off another sweeping move to bring up the loudest cheer of the day from the 12,000 strong crowd.

Lamb's conversion - his ninth successful kick from as many attempts - meant he finished just two points short of equalling the individual Gloucester Heineken Cup scoring record of 28, held by Simon Mannix.

Brice Monzeglio rumbled over to at least give Bourgoin the last laugh on another miserable afternoon on their travels. In contrast, there's no place like home for Gloucester.