Round-up: Robinson kicks Gloucester to victory

Published on Saturday 5 December 2009 20:51

WALES international Nicky Robinson helped ease the pressure on Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath by steering his side to a 25-13 victory over Newcastle at Kingsholm in the Guinness Premiership.

The fly-half kicked five penalties, a drop-goal and converted wing Charlie Sharples' early try to give Gloucester only their fourth win of a difficult league campaign. But the victory was marred by a serious-looking injury to home flanker Akapusi Qera following a collision with Newcastle No.8 Filipo Levi. The Fiji international left the pitch on a stretcher with his neck in a brace after being treated by paramedics for seven minutes.

Fortunately, Redpath delivered an encouraging fitness bulletin on the flanker

"He was knocked out," said the Scot. "He took a while to wake up, and he has gone to hospital because of the knock he took to his head, but he is talking. He seems fine."

Newcastle showed attacking glimpses during the first-half through their inventive catalyst Jimmy Gopperth, but they made the long journey home disappointed.

"We had to grind out a win in the right way in conditions that weren't great," added Redpath. "Winning is everything – it doesn't matter whether you win well or win ugly. I am delighted the boys stuck to it. There are no easy games in this league – anyone can beat anyone on their day. We were put under pressure at times in defence, but it was a game we had to win going into two Heineken Cup matches against Glasgow during the next fortnight."

Elsewhere, London Irish dropped more home points as Worcester recorded a third straight Premiership draw in a scrappy affair at the Madejski Stadium. The match finished 16-16 with Willie Walker kicking 11 points for the visitors, who were awarded a penalty try. John Rudd scored the hosts' only try, while Ryan Lamb converted and kicked three penalties.

Chris Ashton went over for a last-minute converted try as Northampton dealt struggling Bath another devastating blow with a 15-13 win at Franklin's Gardens. Bath, who had England winger Matt Banahan sent off in the 66th minute for reckless use of the boot, looked like they were going to clinch a much-needed victory when Nicky Little inched them 13-8 ahead with a 72nd-minute penalty.

But Ashton, who scored a try in the first half, dotted down with 46 seconds left and Stephen Myler converted to break Bath's hearts and stretch their winless run to seven league games.