Cardiff storm back to beat Gloucester in Challenge Cup Final
View(s):
Rugby Union - European Challenge Cup Final - Cardiff Blues v Gloucester Rugby - San Mames, Bilbao, Spain - Cardiff Blues' Gareth Anscombe is tackled by Gloucester Rugby's Billy Twelvetrees - REUTERS
REUTERS May 12 – Gareth Anscombe’s late penalty sealed a superb comeback for Cardiff Blues as they came from 14 points down to beat Gloucester 31-30 in a thrilling European Challenge Cup final.
Gloucester dominated the first half at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, with superb tries from Henry Trinder and Mark Atkinson helping them to a 20-6 lead at the break.
Cardiff, however, battled back, with scrumhalf Tomos Williams winning a frenetic chase to steal in under the posts early in the second half.
A Garyn Smith try briefly gave Cardiff the lead, but Gloucester bullied their way over the line for a pushover try shortly afterwards to go 27-23 in front and a Billy Twelvetrees penalty extended their lead to seven.
Yet Blaine Scully struck back for Cardiff with a late try, and Anscombe, who missed a difficult conversion, made no mistake with a penalty in the dying moments to complete a remarkable comeback.