Gritty Gloucester

Gloucester 26 Ospreys 18

The Guinness Premiership leaders recovered from conceding two first-half tries — both scored by Ospreys centre Sonny Parker — to take a firm grip on Pool Two. They have collected nine points from a possible 10 ahead of back-to-back clashes with Bourgoin next month.

The Ospreys led 12-6 approaching half-time, but Gloucester delivered an immense second 40 minutes.

England internationals Anthony Allen and James Simpson-Daniel scored stunning tries, while fly-half Ryan Lamb kicked 11 points before replacement Chris Paterson landed a conversion and penalty.

Gloucester welcomed back Italy’s World Cup skipper Marco Bortolami, but they fielded the same back division that tore Ulster apart last Friday.

The Ospreys were without Wales wing Shane Williams, who was absent due to a thigh injury.

Gloucester were on the receiving end early on this time.

Parker pounced from Ospreys’ first significant attack, capitalising when centre Mike Tindall’s wild pass flew too high for Iain Balshaw, and the former Wales midfield man weaved his way over.

James Hook converted, and although Lamb slotted his opening penalty, Ospreys came within inches of extending their lead when wing Jonny Vaughton dived for the corner, but Balshaw just nudged him into touch.

A second Lamb penalty further narrowed the deficit. But quality approach work by Ospreys’ former All Blacks flanker Marty Holah allowed Parker another chance, which he took magnificently. Lamb narrowed the gap to 12-9 through another penalty.

In the second half, Allen’s devastating sidestep took him clear on a 60metre sprint to the line. Lamb converted, before a Hook penalty made it 16-15.

Hook then hoisted the Ospreys ahead after Gloucester prop Carlos Nieto was yellow-carded for killing possession. It proved, a short-lived advantage.

Hook attempting an aimless kick deep inside Gloucester’s half, and the resulting counter-attack left Ospreys’ defenders floundering.

Balshaw and Tindall had the confidence and vision to run from deep, with their adventure rewarded as Simpson-Daniel finished off in the corner.

Paterson, on as a substitute for Lamb, booted the conversion, opening up a five-point lead for Gloucester.

Paterson’s 73rd-minute penalty sealed the deal for Gloucester.

Gloucester scorers: Tries: Allen, Simpson-Daniel. Cons: Lamb, Paterson. Pens: Lamb 3, Paterson.

Ospreys: Tries: Parker 2. Cons: Hook. Pens: Hook 2.

GLOUCESTER: Balshaw, Simpson-Daniel, Tindall, Allen, Bainikolo, Lamb, Lawson, Wood, Azam, Nieto, Buxton, Bortolami, Strokosch, Qera, Narraway.

Replacements: Paterson for Lamb (56), Titterrell for Azam (66), Califano for Strokosch (61), Delve for Qera (45).

OSPREYS: Byrne, Walker, Parker, Henson, Vaughton, Hook, Phillips, D. Jones, Bennett, A. Jones, Gough, Evans, Thomas, Holah, Tiatia, Marshall.

Replacements: Marshall for Phillips (66), James for D. Jones (73), Hibbard for Bennett (73), Wyn-Jones for Gough (59), Connor for Marshall (76).