Rugby: Blow for Gloucester as 17-point haul by Ross inspires Leeds

Leeds 22 Gloucester 18

In front of their largest-ever attendance for a Premiership match, almost 7,500, the Scottish star piloted Leeds to a hard-fought but determined victory that increases their chances of retaining a place in the Heineken Cup next season.

For Gloucester this was a messy and ill-disciplined defeat that leaves them off the pace in search of European qualification.

They had only six penalties from Henry Paul to show for their efforts and in the end could not force a try that would have broken the game.

Despite dominating great swathes of territory and possession in the second half they could not turn their field position into an advantage and they gave up chances to win the game by conceding penalties at the breakdown that gave Leeds the chance to relieve the pressure.

But in the face of a stiff breeze Gloucester got off to a good start and were 6-0 ahead after 14 minutes with two Paul penalties.

However, Leeds fought their way back into the match and stole ahead after 18 minutes when hooker Matt Holt was driven over from an attacking lineout.

Leeds never looked back. Their forwards worked fiendishly hard around the contact area and in midfield they also possessed dangerous runners and they took full advantage of Gloucester mistakes for Ross to kick three penalties before the break to hand the home side a 16-9 advantage.

But Paul struck twice before the break to bring Gloucester within four points but his side could not build on the foundations after the interval.

They did, however, cut the deficit to only one point after 53 minutes but there was no sign of an effective come-back.

Instead Leeds’s determination and relish for the fight grew and with Ross in immaculate kicking form, they edged ahead again in the third quarter.

With time ticking away, Ross landed his fifth successive penalty to pull his side 22-18 ahead.

Gloucester launched a series of late attacks and even threw on England star James Simpson-Daniel but not even he could unlock a spirited Leeds defence who emerged deservedly victorious.

Meanwhile, Wasps director of rugby Warren Gatland praised the response of his team after yesterday’s 41-0 Zurich Premiership hammering of Saracens.

Gatland was disappointed to concede five tries in last week’s 52-33 Heineken Cup win over Calvisano and demanded a better defensive performance for the visit of Wasps.

The result was never in doubt as second-placed Wasps overpowered their rivals with England World Cup winner Josh Lewsey claiming two tries.