Barkley inspires Gloucester to claim top spot
Sunday, 30 Nov 2008 09:59
Barkley was in excellent form for Gloucester
Olly Barkley came off the bench to inspire Gloucester to a comfortable 33-10 victory over Northampton Saints which sends them to the top of the table.
Barkley was one of four try-scorers as the Cherry and Whites dominated proceedings at Kingsholm.
Anthony Allen started at inside centre but had to be carried off after just three minutes, allowing Barkley to enter the fray.
He was immediately on the attack and fed centre colleague Mike Tindall who broke through the Saints defence before passing to Lesley Vainikolo who in turn fed Iain Balshaw for Gloucester's first try.
Barkley then released Scottish international Alasdair Strokosch but he was held up just before the line only for Luke Narraway to pick up and drive over for the score.
The Saints got their only points of the first half when full-back Stephen Myler kicked a penalty but it was too little to stop a rampant Gloucester.
They grabbed their third try of the half when Barkley barged his way through a number of tackles to touch down on the stroke of half time.
Northampton gave themselves a chance in the second half when flanker Scott Gray sneaked in in the corner for his side's first try.
Although the Saints' defence improved greatly in the second half they could not find a way to breach Gloucester again.
Barkley finally ended their resistance when he placed a perfect kick for Vainikolo to chase and score Gloucester's fourth try.
Fly-half Ryan Lamb added two late penalties to ensure there was no way back for Northampton.
The win puts Gloucester two points ahead of Bath in the Guinness Premiership, though their West Country rivals have a game in hand.