Wasps blown away in wind

Gloucester got their EDF Energy Anglo-Welsh Cup campaign off to a 24-19 winning start against Wasps at Kingsholm on Saturday.

Both sides scored two tries but Willie Walker was the more prolific with his boot, to hand the home side the win in an error-strewn but entertaining game in windy conditions.

Danny Cipriani had been named among the Wasps replacements after coming through his mid-week comeback against Bath unscathed, but did not feature on the bench due to a sore ankle.

The visitors were first onto the scoresheet with a well-worked try on four minutes after Gloucester had overthrown a line out deep in the visitors' half in the windy conditions.

The visitors gathered and worked the ball across field, with Tom Voyce then making a good run up the left flank, before passing inside to Rob Hoadley who then found Mark Robinson to touch over, although Jeremy Staunton could not add the extras from the tight angle.

But Gloucester reduced the deficit to two points after 17 minutes from the boot of Walker following an infringement in the scrum.

Drop goal

Staunton could have restored the lead but kicked a penalty wide and the visitors were made to pay as Ryan Lamb scored a drop goal to put the hosts one point in front after advantage had been played.

Gloucester then extended their lead to 11-5 when they scored their own try on 22 minutes after Lesley Vainikolo touched down in the left corner, although Walker could not add the extras.

The try came as Vainikolo found himself alone as he gathered a great cross-field Lamb kick after a well-worked move which stretched the visitors one way and then the other.

Staunton was finally successful with a penalty-kick on 28 minutes but Walker restored the six-point cushion a minute later after Richard Birkett was penalised.

But Wasps reduced the deficit to just one point when James Haskell dived over from close range on 36 minutes, although the decision had to go to the video ref for a potential knock-on by Robinson just before.

Staunton again missed the extras which allowed Gloucester to go in 14-13 in front, despite Wasps dominating possession.

Crucial try

In the second period, the home side got a crucial try on 47 minutes to put them 21-13 in front.

It came after a long pass from Lamb to Vainikolo on the left flank cut the Wasps defence to pieces, although TV replays showed the pass had gone forward.

Vainikolo then drew two Wasps defenders towards him before passing inside to allow Walker to run through and touch under the posts, and he duly added the extras.

But Wasps were game and again pegged the hosts back as Staunton reduced the deficit to five points on 51 minutes after Brown was penalised going in from the side, but he missed another on 60 minutes.

Gloucester then failed to make superior numbers count as Jack Adams could not touch down in the left corner.

But they had some consolation as Walker kicked a penalty on 70 minutes for an earlier off-side in the move, to make Wasps have to score twice in the last ten minutes.

They managed a penalty with three minutes to go after Gloucester killed the ball and Dave Walder obliged, but the hosts held on to win by five points.

In the other Group A game, Newport Gwent Dragons beat Newcastle Falcons 25-14 at Rodney Parade on Friday night.