Having conceded 40 points to the Bulls in the first round game, the Cockies were determined to put up a much better performance in front of their home crowd. 

And perform they did!

With a mixture of good body height, aggressive defence and determined ball carrying, the Cockies put on their best 40 minutes of rugby all season in the first half. 

This was epitomised by the Bulls launching 10 phases of attack in the Cockies quarter, which came to a shuddering halt when prop Mitch Meredith planted an absolute bell ringer on the Bulls attacker, resulting in a great turnover ball from which the Cockies eventually scored their first try. 

Coach Steve Parkin was justifiably proud of his charges at half time and urged them to repeat the effort in the second half. All the forwards dug deep for their coach, and it would be unfair to pick out a single player, such was the collective effort as they repeatedly took the game to the Bulls. 

The backs also defended stoutly as was evidenced by the Bulls only making one try scoring line break all day. 

The Bulls extended their 10 – 7 half time lead with a penalty goal, making it 13 – 7 with 15 minutes to go.

The Cockies responded yet again and scored a great team try, the second by mercurial 5/8 Chris Marchant, which was converted by the ever reliable Mick Wooster who was having a whale of a game, to make the score 14-13 to the Cockies. 

In a tense final 10 minutes with the game flowing from one end to the other, the Bulls extracted a penalty in the final two minutes, which resulted in a heartbreaking scoreline of 16 – 14 to the Bulls. 

Best and fairest: 3 points K Wammsley; 2 points T Threadgate; 1 point A Paynter. 

Players’ player: A Paynter. 

Gloucester Cockies: 14 (Tries: C Marchant; conversions: 2  M.Wooster) to Wallamba Bulls 16 (1 try; 1 conversion 3 PGs).

Next home game against Old Bar on July 2.