Gloucester Rugby exited the Premiership Rugby Cup in the quarter-final stage with a 22-17 defeat away at Newcastle Falcons but left with a moral victory.
Newcastle’s route to victory in the end. A scrum penalty allowed the host to kick into the corner and Jamie Balmire powered over for the first of a hat-trick of scores for the hooker.
Another scrum penalty allowed Falcons fly-half Brett Connon to knock over three points from the tee and further struggles for the visiting pack saw Gloucester tighthead prop Alfie Petch yellow carded after conceding three penalties in four scrums.
But the Cherry and Whites’ backline hit back, with winger Louis Hillman-Cooper escaping on a wrap-around line to cut through the middle of the black-shirted defensive line thanks to some good inter-passing from loosehead prop Archie McArthur. Charlie Atkinson converted to make it just 8-7 to the hosts.
Another driving maul then delivered Balmaire over the whitewash again before Atkinson hit back with a penalty from the kicking tee.
However the visitors had no answer to the power of the Falcons pack and Balmire completed his hat-trick from the armchair ride at the back of another, steady-moving maul for what ultimately proved to be the winning score.
But Gloucester were not done and replacement back Matty Ward scored a sensational solo try, chipping the ball over the top of the defensive line, hitting the bouncing ball on the half volley and then regathering to score under the posts
With the clock in the red the visitors had the ball in their hands and were chasing a winning score but were held out for Newcastle to advance and face Bath on Friday night.
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