London Irish had won one away fixture in the league in the previous 12 months and had not scored a try away from Reading since September, but the team with the worst Premiership record in 2012 – five wins and 18 defeats – started 2013 with probably the most unlikely result of the season.
Irish were again without their England prop Alex Corbisiero, who failed a fitness test on the knee that has troubled him all season, and lost their hooker David Paice in the first half, but they led 15-6 at the interval and would have been further ahead but for some scruffy goal-kicking by Steve Shingler.
Gloucester, looking to consolidate their position in the top four, were guilty of complacency early on. Freddie Burns gave them the lead with a third-minute penalty and against opponents who had lost their seven previous matches in all competitions, and who had conceded 116 points to the Cherry and Whites in three games this season, threw the ball around from all over the pitch, but handling skills did not match their ambition.
Shingler equalised with a 40-metre penalty on 11 minutes, but Gloucester should have scored the opening try when Burns, playing in front of the England skills coach, Mike Catt, broke Halani Aulika's tackle and ran into Irish's 22, but Dan Murphy knocked on.
The Exiles, befitting a team that had conceded the most tries in the Premiership, looked vulnerable defensively, tight forwards often standing in exposed areas and tempting Burns. But unforced errors by the home side helped them to gain possession and their first meaningful attack ended with the second row George Skivington stretching for the line after Tom Homer had charged through Burns.
The Gloucester outside-half kicked his second penalty after Irish had been penalised at a scrum and forfeited 10 metres by querying the decision, but it was not the cue for a final assault by the hosts at the end of the opening half: Pat Phibbs chased his own speculative kick ahead, Shane Monahan failed to deal with the rolling ball and Skivington was first to the scene for his second try.
Irish found themselves in the unusual position of defending a lead and they looked distinctly uncomfortable. It was their turn to make mistakes when in possession, too often failing to kick for position and getting turned over in their own territory.
Shane Geraghty replaced the injured Ian Humphreys at outside-half and he was not in safety mode, throwing out long passes and kicking as a last resort. Burns lined up three penalties in the third quarter and succeeded with two, reducing Irish's lead to three points. When Shingler was again off target, Homer took over and succeeded from 40 metres after Gloucester, who had been dominant up front, were penalised for collapsing a scrum.
Gloucester set themselves for a final rally, but they wasted a penalty when a brawl broke out on the touchline and Will James was sent to the sin-bin for the third time in four weeks. Their final chance ended when Burns missed touch from a penalty and Gloucester tumbled out of the top four.
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