Jonny May’s try propels Gloucester to victory against Castres in European Challenge Cup

Gloucester secured a hard-fought victory over Castres in the European Challenge Cup, with Jonny May’s try proving to be the decisive moment in the match.

The Cherry and Whites, who have been struggling in the league, showed their cup pedigree as they booked a spot in the quarter-finals with a 30-25 win over the French side.

It was a thrilling encounter at Kingsholm Stadium, with Gloucester taking the lead through tries from Zach Mercer, Jonny May, and Max Llewellyn in the first half. Despite a spirited fightback from Castres, Gloucester managed to hold on to their lead and secure the victory.

May’s try, which came after a quick shift of the ball from a line-out, put Gloucester in front and gave them the momentum they needed to see out the game. Santi Carreras’ accurate kicking also played a crucial role in Gloucester’s win, as he converted all three tries and added two penalties in windy conditions.

Castres did not go down without a fight, with Loris Zarantonello and Josaia Raisuqe scoring second-half tries to keep the pressure on Gloucester. However, Gloucester’s defense stood firm and they managed to close out the game with a seven-point lead.

With this victory, Gloucester have set their sights on a European final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in May. As second seeds, they are in a strong position to make a deep run in the competition and will be hoping to add more silverware to their cabinet.

Gloucester will now face either Sale or Ospreys in the quarter-finals, and their fans will be hoping for more thrilling performances like the one they witnessed against Castres.