WE can hold our heads high for the way we played at Kingsholm on Saturday. Yet the players were disappointed after reviewing the game.

We thought we performed well and now realise and appreciate what it's like to play at the next level up.

But the simple facts are that our mistakes were punished ... and punished hard.

Gloucester are physically big and strong. The performance of our pack was very good but again they punished our errors in the second half.

For each of their tries after the break, they squeezed us, piled on the pressure and punished us when we slipped up. Everything is taken to a higher level but two or three weeks of playing that kind rugby would see a marked improvement from us.

We now know what is required of us and it was another milestone in the history of the club.

But now we must look forward to our league programme and a potential banana skin awaits on Saturday with our trip to Blackheath.

We might have beaten them already but their league position belies the fact that they are improving all the time.

In their last game at Waterloo they might have lost but they outscored their hosts in terms of tries.

People look at the league table and assume it will be another two points for us but I'm expecting a hard game for which I'm sure Duncan Hall will have everyone focused for the job in hand.

There's still a long way to go in the league and plenty of sides queuing up for a share of the honours.

We all know about Bristol, Rotherham and Coventry but London Welsh are developing quickly and Exeter have also shown they are a good side, particularly in the forwards.

Expectation is high among our supporters because of what has been achieved over the last five years but we have no divine right to keep on winning rugby matches.

Finally I want to thank the supporters for helping to create a great atmosphere at Gloucester -- it made for a smashing day.

Thursday, January 14, 1999.