Gloucester forwards coach Carl Hogg says a strong start was the key to his side's 30-16 LV= Cup victory against Leeds.
Forwards coach says Gloucester are in pole for semi-finals
Gloucester forwards coach Carl Hogg says a strong start was the key to his side's 30-16 LV= Cup victory against Leeds.
The visitors' bonus-point win at Headingley means they will secure a place in the semi-finals of the competition if they can defeat London Irish next weekend.
Lesley Vainikolo scored the opening try less than two minutes in and Tom Voyce, Nick Wood and Tim Molenaar also touched down during the convincing win.
Hogg stated that he still saw some room for improvement but is pleased that last year's beaten finalists are on the verge of making the last four again.
"It was a workmanlike performance," Hogg said after the match.
"I felt we got our approach right mentally and structurally and in the first 20 minutes we laid a platform to go on and win the game.
"I thought occasionally we lacked control of field position and they had some good spells in our 22, but towards the end of the second half we won the battle for field position and finished strongly.
Own hands
"We are now in pole position as Northampton have lost today and our fate is in our own hands as we have London Irish at Kingsholm next week.
"We got to the final of this competition last year and we are looking forward to the challenge against London Irish and hopefully we will move forward from there."
Leeds head coach Neil Back praised his side's approach even though they are still waiting for a second domestic win of the season.
He added: "I am pleased with the attitude of the squad. They put in a good performance, although it wasn't good enough to win.
"We didn't relieve pressure in our own half well enough in the first half and that gave them some opportunities and they had the pace and skill to finish some good well-taken tries.
"But today was about giving game time to players and giving some players a return from injury.
"I was pleased with Phil Nilsen at hooker as Steve Thompson is away with England and Andy Titterell is injured. He is the future of the club in that position and his work today was excellent.
"For us it's about building competition in the squad before we return to Premiership action against Leicester next month."
