Galloping Reeves races in to steal it for Glouceter

TWO tries from Jack Clement enabled Gloucester to edge their way past gallant Coventry and into the Premiership Cup semi-finals – but they were first pushed right to the brink.

- PAUL SMITH

When the powerhouse flanker claimed his second score just before the hour the hosts had banked the bonus point required to clinch qualification.

The Cherry and Whites were also at this point leading 27-12 and with their scrum dominant it seemed the Cov floodgates might open. However, the arrival of visitors’ bench brought renewed conviction and as a result Alex Rae’s team scored 19 points in a golden 12-minute spell to enter the closing stages with a four-point advantage.

But as Gloucester piled on the pressure Cov replacement hooker Suva Ma’asi went to the sinbin and eventually the hosts worked Jack Reeves into the corner for the match-clinching score.

Gloucester coach Dom Waldouck said his team did well to emerge victorious from this stretching encounter.