Gloucester 20
London Kiwis 27
(Air New Zealand Trophy)
RUGBY: The London Kiwis clinched the inaugural Air New Zealand Trophy on Saturday with a dramatic 27-20 win over Gloucester.
Kiwis attacked from the whistle and took the lead through skipper Ian Stewart, converted by Kurt Mastny. It didn't take long for Gloucester to return fire and their forward power was rewarded with an excellent try which was converted to make it 7-7.
Play swung from end to end and the home side made the most of their possession.
Gloucester led 15-7 at half-time but Stewart battled back after the break, scoring his second of the game and Duane Hunter converted to bring the score back to within a point at15-14.
The home side struck again to make it 20-14 with less than 14 minutes to go but some foolish play by Gloucester allowed Hunter to kick another three points and set up a tense finale.
With time running out, Wayne Simeon broke away, supported by Alex Zenovic, and he went over in the corner. Another measured conversion from Hunter made it 24-20 to the Kiwis and he kicked a late penalty to seal victory.
Kiwis president Alan Barnett said: 'We had to win this one. After all, we couldn't let an English side take the Air New Zealand Trophy and we look forward to defending it next year.'
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