'We've done it for one another and we've done it for the city', says Gloucester champion Jonny May
Friday 1 May 2015 23:12, UK
Jonny May says Gloucester 'did it for the city' when they beat Edinburgh 19-13 in the Challenge Cup final on Friday.
England international May, who was awarded Man of the Match, praised the character of Gloucester as they endured a period with 13 men on the field.
The winger said it was a nervy period to endure, and appeared relieved when speaking after the match, which he said was won on behalf of the city.
“It hung in the balance for so long,” said May. “To be at Gloucester for as long as I have with my mates, it's a night I will remember for the rest of my life.
“We've done it for one another and we've done it for the city really. We just thank them for coming and for travelling so well with us.
“It's one big group effort and we're glad to have done it.”
Edinburgh struggled to get into the game, as Gloucester set the rhythm from the early stages.
“We went as hard as we could and I felt like when we put tempo on the game we were in control,” said May.
“They are a smart team, they managed to slow us down a bit in that second half, and our discipline let us down a little bit so they crawled their way back into the game.
“But I do think we deserved it and I'm so pleased.”
A yellow card for Ross Moriarty and a red for Bill Meakes meant Gloucester were forced to defend their lead in the final 15 minutes, and the fact that they did so is a key indication of the side, said May.
“It's character that we've had all year as a group.
“I've been on the end of so many games for Gloucester where we've lost it in the last minute or so, so it shows that we're a team that's on the up, growing as a unit.
“To close out a game like that, to keep hold of the ball for five minutes at the end and to win a penalty whilst I'm just standing on the wing looking in, it felt good.
“It shows we're a new group of players with a new set of management. It shows that we're earning and improving all the time and this is a leap forward for us to take on to better things now.”
