Hammersley hopes home form can go on the road
Falcons fullback Simon Hammersley is hopeful he and his team mates can take their Aviva Premiership home form on the road with them, as the travel to Kingsholm to face Gloucester (KO 15:00)
With six consecutive home wins in all competitions, an away win over Gloucester would further underline the progress shown by the team in 2016, and Hammersley says the mindset of the squad will give them a chance.
“We’re carrying a lot of momentum going into these games. The boys are confident, training has been of a high quality and I think we have a lot of confidence that we can go to Gloucester and take our home form with us.”
Games played between the two sides in recent seasons have been high scoring encounters, with last season’s 42-40 a particular thriller.
It was Hammersley’s first experience of the legendary atmosphere of the Cherry and Whites home and it was a game that he remembers well.
“We played pretty well and got ourselves into a pretty hefty lead before the brought on a few of their big guns and pipped us in the last play.”
“Attacking we played pretty well, scoring 40 points but defensively, it wasn’t one of our greatest showings, we took a lot of positives knowing we could break down their defence but were ultimately frustrated not to get the win.”
“It was a great atmosphere. As you grow up and hear that its one of the places everyone want to play in. Its really loud, you get a bit of heckling from the Shed but it’s a really great place to play.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s match, the 22 year old is expecting an all court game from a Gloucester side that he says threatens in all areas.
“They’ve got a real mix. Forwards wise, they are pretty abrasive and are good at the set piece and then they have backs who like to go out and express themselves.”
“The 10/12 combination obviously has a lot of international experience there, then a bit wider you have Meaks who has got some pretty fast feet, Sharples on one wing, Billy Burns coming through who has been playing some pretty good stuff at fifteen.”
“They are one of those teams that can test you in all areas so you have to be on the top of your game in order to go there and get the win.”
