Aviva Premiership: James Hook lands a last-gasp penalty to give Gloucester a 24-23 win over Saracens
Last Updated: 09/01/15 10:55pm
James Hook landed a 50-metre penalty deep into stoppage time to give Gloucester a 24-23 win over Saracens at Kingsholm on Friday night.
James Hook landed a 50-metre penalty deep into stoppage time to give Gloucester a 24-23 win over Saracens at Kingsholm on Friday night.
Superb tries by scrum-half Dan Robson and his second-half replacement Callum Braley underpinned Gloucester's first Premiership win on home soil since they beat Leicester three months ago.
Fly-half Hook added 14 points from the boot, including his last-gasp clincher, and Saracens had to settle for a losing bonus point after mustering an early penalty try, scores from brothers Billy and Mako Vunipola and two penalties and a conversion from Alex Goode.
Saracens made an enforced late switch after England fly-half Owen Farrell was ruled out by a tight calf, so Goode moved from full-back to deputise and Ben Ransom started at No 15.
Saracens needed just seven minutes to showcase their forward power and Gloucester could not stop it, illegally halting a lineout drive for the second time in quick succession which resulted in Doyle awarding a penalty try.
Goode added the conversion before Gloucester blew a gilt-edged opportunity when skipper Billy Twelvetrees inexcusably ignored an unmarked Jonny May outside him and the try-scoring chance went begging.
Hook, though, cut the gap to a point when he kicked two penalties in four minutes before Goode's opening strike made it 10-6 following an entertaining first 25 minutes.
Goode then increased Saracens' advantage but after Hook saw a penalty hit the post, Robson inspired his team through a sparkling individual try.
He spotted a blindside gap, chipped the ball over Billy Vunipola and then beat Richard Wigglesworth to the touchdown, finishing off brilliantly under pressure in the corner.
Hook failed to convert and then drifted a penalty chance wide on the stroke of half-time after Saracens wing David Strettle had been sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on, and the visitors trooped off 13-11 ahead.
Saracens' forwards started the second period with a repeat performance of their initial first-half onslaught and after Gloucester lock Tom Savage received a yellow card, another irresistible drive ended with Billy Vunipola's try. Goode missed the conversion.
Injury worry
Play was then stopped after Gloucester and England No 8 Ben Morgan received lengthy treatment on a leg injury before being carried off, and when play resumed, Hook's third successful penalty narrowed the gap to 18-14.
Gloucester then conjured a stunning 90-metre score, which was started by May near his own line before Morgan's replacement Gareth Evans took the move on at pace and Braley finished off with a celebratory dive between the posts.
Hook's conversion opened up a three-point Gloucester lead but prop Nick Wood was then carried off following another lengthy stoppage with what looked to be a neck injury.
May received a yellow card when play resumed and had barely left the action before Mako Vunipola touched down, but again the conversion went begging and Hook proved to be Gloucester's hero with the final act.
