Gloucester fight back to defeat Fiji

Match-winner: Koree Britton

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• Fiji
• Gloucester

Gloucester came from behind to defeat Fiji 31-29 on a memorable night at Kingsholm, where Koree Britton grabbed the winning score.

Fiji dominated the scoreboard in the first half with hooker Tuapati Talemaitoga crossing for an early try and fly-half Jonetani Ralulu adding two penalties to give the visitors an 11-0 lead.

Toulouse winger Timoci Matanavou then continued his good form in the Top 14 by adding Fiji's second try before half-time.

Gloucester responded with their first points of the evening thanks to a try from flanker Matt Cox, with a long-range Dan Robson penalty leaving the score at 10-18 by half-time.

Fiji opened the scoring after the break with a try from Watisoni Vatu, latching on to a perfect cross-field kick from Ralulu. Substitute Ratu Penijamni Makutu was then sin-binned and Gloucester took advantage with a penalty try.

A third Ralulu penalty stretched Fiji's lead once again, but the visitors were sent down to 13 men after number eight Nemani Naqusa was also sent to the bin, resulting in a second penalty try for Gloucester and closing the gap to just 24-26.

The hosts eventually took the lead thanks to their fourth try of the night from Koree Britton, with Robson converting to secure a famous 31-29 victory.

The scorers:

For Gloucester:
Tries: Cox, Penalty 2, Britton
Con: Robson 4
Pen: Robson

For Fiji:
Tries: Talemaitoga, Matanavou, Vatu
Con: Ralulu
Pen: Ralulu 4
Yellow cards: Makutu, Nagusa

Gloucester: 15 Martyn Thomas, 14 Steph Reynolds, 13 Drew Locke, 12 Tim Molenaar, 11 Ian Clark, 10 Dan Robson, 9 Dave Lewis, 8 Peter Buxton (c) 7 Matt Cox, 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Harry Casson, 4 Will Graulich, 3 Dario Chistolini, 2 Koree Britton, 1 Yann Thomas.
Replacements: Tommaso d'Apice, Dan Murphy, Tom Heard, Ed King, Ben Sparks, Bred Field, George Boulton, tbc

Fiji: 15 Metuisila Talebula, 14 Timoci Matanavou, 13 Samu Wara, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Watisoni Votu, 10 Jonetani Ralulu, 9 Kelemedi Bola, 8 Nemani Naqusa. 7 Malakai Volau, 6 Jovili Domolailai, 5 Sekonaia Kalou, 4 Apisolame Ratuniyarama, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 1 Setefano Samoca
Replacements: 16 Seremaia Naureure, 17 Deacon Manu, 18 Ratu Penijamni Makutu, 19 Api Naikatini, 20 Iliesa Ratuva, 21 Nikola Matawalu, 22 Ravai Fatiaki, 23 Aisea Natoga.