Robinson saves Gloucester

Gloucester fly-half Nicky Robinson slotted a last-gasp penalty through the posts to give the Cherry and Whites a dramatic 22-21 win against Leeds Carnegie.

The hosts gave a far from convincing performance at Kingsholm, with Leeds looking like they would close out a narrow away win before conceding in the dying stages.

Christian Lewis-Pratt scored a total of 16 points but it was Robinson who saved face for Gloucester after they had let an early lead slip.

Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath made five changes from the side that suffered a shock defeat to Aviva Premiership new boys Exeter, with summer signing Brett Deacon among those called up.

And seemingly motivated by Redpath's stern words during the week, they came out of the blocks firing and raced into a 14-3 lead in the first 10 minutes.

Try

Wing Lesley Vainikolo created the first try as he dashed towards the try-line before feeding number eight Luke Narraway in to touch down.

Gloucester then added a second when Leeds wing Lee Blackett missed his tackle on prop Alasdair Dickinson, who would charge over the line.

Robinson converted both efforts with Leeds only able to muster two Lewis-Pratt penalties in reply as the hosts dominated the opening stages.

But despite all their superiority in the pack, Gloucester began to lose their way as the visitors fired several warning shots before finally converting.

As the contest approached the half-hour mark, Lewis-Pratt took a clever pass on the left wing and crashed over the line from five metres.

Chance

The stand-off squandered the chance to bring the scores level as he missed the conversion and Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu made him pay by sending Gloucester eight points clear with their third try.

After the half-time break, Gloucester passed up two good chances to put the contest beyond doubt before Leeds began to assert themselves.

Lewis-Pratt's third penalty reduced the deficit before striking the upright with another three-point attempt, but centre Luther Burrell followed up the effort to power in for a try and left his fly-half to convert for a 21-19 lead.

Gloucester then piled on the pressure as they searched for a try that would rescue a victory and hand them a bonus point.

But just as they seemed to be running out of options, Robinson thumped a penalty through in the closing stages after Leeds had been penalised for a ruck offence.