Hastings’ monster drop goal swings it

By BEN JAYCOCK

London Irish…………………. 21pts

Tries: Creevy 2, Loader 26

Conversions: Jackson 4

Penalties: Jackson 15, 34, 49

Gloucester…………………… 22pts

Tries: Socino 21, 53; Ackermann 30

Conversions: Hastings 31, 54

Drop goals: Hastings 62

GLOUCESTER continued their impressive start to the season as a strong defensive effort and Adam Hastings' remarkable 56-metre drop goal secured their fourth win from five.

Match winner Hastings caught a clearance kick over his shoulder and while on the run slotted one of the best drop goals in Premiership history from inside his own half that overturned the deficit.

“I thought that I made decent contact,” Hastings said. “I'd hit two in the warm up from a similar distance and was about to hit a third and our kit man Shaun (Bullock) said don't bother, try and save one for the game and he was right. It was actually a bit of a hanging one but they all count.

“We hadn't had any foothold in the game and were struggling to put phases together and obviously that was going to take us in front so I just thought why not.”

The game would have been a sour watch for England head coach Eddie Jones as both Henry Arundell and Jonny May were taken off in the first half with injuries.

Irish won a penalty early on in front of the posts but decided to decline the easy three points in favour of the corner.

That decision was soon rewarded as Agustin Creevy – who scored 14 tries last season – crossed for a close range touchdown.

Inside 20 minutes, Arundell was substituted after going down with an ankle injury due to being caught in friendly fire by Ben Loader.

Gloucester were penalised for offside and Irish opted for the easy three points that Paddy Jackson dispatched.

Against the run of play, the visitors got back into the game as Hastings sliced open the Irish defence to put in Santiago Socino who scored out wide.

With a penalty advantage, Jackson produced a pin point cross field kick that picked out Loader who showcased his athleticism by leaping high to beat May in the air and finished well in the corner. May was then stretchered off injured in just his fifth game in nine months as he appeared to dislocate his elbow in the battle with Loader in the air.

Ruan Ackermann then powered over off a recycled phase following Socino's impressive leg drive

Following a strong carry from the impressive Tom Pearson – who was called up to the England squad on Friday in place of the injured Courtney Lawes – Gloucester conceded a penalty that was punished with another three points from Jackson.

Irish held up Gloucester over the line with courageous defence, however with a penalty advantage the visitors went to the corner but yet again were denied by a resilient green and white brick wall.

At the start of the second half the roles reversed as Irish's driving maul that looked destined for the line was stopped by a wonderful defensive effort by Ackermann.

Irish's second half surge continued but they were forced to settle for three points as Jackson slotted his third penalty. The visitors responded with a second try from Socino off a trademark Gloucester driving maul. Irish substitute Ciaran Parker was yellow carded for collapsing a maul after repeated infringements inside their own 22.

Irish piled on the pressure late on but Gloucester's defence held strong for an impressive away victory.

Loosehead Val Rapava Ruskin – who was named in England's autumn series squad – lasted the full 80 minutes and was a key man in defence topping the tackle charts (13).

Irish's slow start to the season continues with just one win from five.