There were some good individual performances, notably from Hall Charlton, Steve Jones and the indomitable Mark Sorenson, while Ed Williamson also put himself about. Micky Young's time on the pitch was full of energy and aggression.

Although I've always been a fan of James Grindal, and he has had much more time to put in a bad performance(s) than the others, from what we've seen in the five games so far surely he must be firmly third choice scrum-half.

Despite these positives, the Falcons were often their own worst enemies, as after Jonny Wilkinson kicked us into the lead within a couple of minutes, Charlton took forever to kick under pressure in the corner, Gloucester charging down and eventually forcing a penalty to equalise.

A howler of a missed tackle in the middle of the park by Jamie Noon allowed Gloucester to charge into their right corner, and Iain Balshaw scored the first of what looked like it might be many tries.

Noon also wasted a glorious try-scoring chance after an excellent run, as his pass to the waiting Tim Visser in front of a gaping line fell short of the Dutchman and the hosts were able to defend.

Wilkinson was forced to leave the field with a nasty-looking leg injury, helped off and replaced by Rory Clegg who put in a decent game too, kicking a penalty initially but Balshaw's second score and two further penalties from Olly Barkley put Gloucester 16-6 up at half time.

The last penalty of the half summed up everything that is wrong with the Falcons. With the clock on zero, we had a scrum and I mused whether we shouldn't just boot the ball out and take half time. But the lads kept playing, until a lazy kick-and-don't-chase on the right allowed Gloucester to come back at us.

The clock was on zero for God's sake, if you can't play with the ball in hand just put it in touch, or at least chase the kick and try to force territory! But no, Gloucs came forward, won a penalty and extended their lead.

Things looked up in the second half with Matt Thompson forcing his way over on the far left, although Clegg was unable to convert. Thompson had a lively evening, and our lineout performed well overall, including a number of steals from Gloucester ball which led to an ironic cheer from the Shed when they won one!

Following a Barkley penalty, a fabulous individual try from Tom May, who chipped through the defence from the halfway line and just about touched down, brought us within three points, and the worried home crowd picked up their game. Another penalty gave their side breathing space.

And then Gloucester pulled away with a hat-trick try from Balshaw and two scores by James Simpson-Daniel, including a second for which the winger ran from his own half through a number of Falcons who didn't look remotely interested in tackling.

From this incident, I only mention Micky Young individually because during the vain chase he seemed to turn slightly and berate a team-mate.

I don't understand it with JSD – obviously like most people I can't believe he has been overlooked by England for so long. But I also don't understand why Gloucester fans keep bigging him up for England – if the lad played for us I'd be glad England had ignored him and long may it continue!

Anyway, with the game lost, Phil Dowson crashed through for a consolation try with three minutes left, and Clegg's hurried conversion didn't help us find the time for a fourth score.

So out trip to Kingsholm ends in a zero-point defeat after promising so much for the second successive season. At least in 2006/07 we got a bonus point there.

But I'm not angry right now, I'm philosophical, after all I and many others spoke about the importance of the first four Premiership games, clearly in the expectation that we'd be trounced last night.

And again, when we played running rugby or at least kept possession tight, we looked good. I can't remember when I last saw us break the gain line so often – Dowson put in a good shift again with the ball in hand.

The problem is, again there are too many aimless kicks, like the one at the end of the first half. Not that Gloucester were sparing in their use of this 'tactic' – I don't understand what it is in the new rules that makes kicking to a defender on the 5m line and not chasing so attractive?

Is it really a good thing to have someone like Balshaw, Simpson-Daniel or earlier in the season Mathew Tait running at speed at a line of stationary defenders with a 20-30m head-start?

Anyway, back to last night, and well done to the boys for being competitive for 65 to 70 minutes against one of the country's top sides. I hope Bates et al continue to persevere with this more attractive style of rugby, as it's the only time we look competitive.

I'd have no problem with a kick-and-amble game if it worked. It hasn't, and there's no prospect of that changing. And I'm encouraged we are now trying something different, and we ow have five cup games to perfect it before our next league game on November 16^th against London Irish.

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