Nominations are now closed for this year's Believe in Gloucester Awards.

And now a panel of judges have the difficult task of choosing the very best in the city.

Dozens of businesses, individuals and community groups have been nominated in recognition of the incredible work they do in Gloucester.

Over the next few weeks The Citizen's panel of judges will determine the finalists in each category. They will be announced at the beginning of November.

Jenny Eastwood, editor of the Citizen, said: "We have such a wealth of enthusiasm and passion in our city with so many people from all walks of life trying to improve where we live and work.

"These awards help celebrate those talented individuals, businesses and community groups who go the extra mile to promote Gloucester."

There are 13 categories, including awards for Business of the Year, New Business of the Year, Best Eating Out Establishment, Best Pub Bar and Retailer of the Year.

All of the finalists will be invited to a glittering ceremony on November 27 at Kingsholm Stadium with a Champagne reception, three-course meal and entertainment, when the winners for each of the categories will be revealed.

The Citizen launched its Believe In Gloucester Awards, at the Cathedral's Chapter House in August to celebrate the start of this year's mission to find the very best in the city.

The awards, which began last year, are backed by Gloucester Quays, Marketing Gloucester and Gloucester City Council, and many others.

Hatton Court Hotel is one of the businesses which has thrown its weight behind this year's Believe in Gloucester Awards.

Simon Hanna, general manager, said: "We are delighted to sponsor the Believe in Gloucester sportsperson of the year award.

"As many of us have tried and failed at sports, you do become very aware of the dedication required to ensure you are successful in your chosen sport, whether partaking, training or co-ordinating.

Gloucester is an extremely sporty city, with many great teams, people and spectators."

Other sponsors include Marketing Gloucester, Gloucester City Council, Gloucester Quays, WSP Solicitors, Kings Walk Shopping Centre, Eastgate Shopping Centre, Peter Hickman, Prospect Training, The King's School, Heather Resource Management Limited and Tayntons Solicitors.

Gloucestershire is plunging ever deeper into autumn, with falling temperatures and overcast skies the theme for the weekend.

Saturday has had a damp start and light showers are forecast through much of the afternoon, with temperatures in the mid-teens.

Sunday is forecast to be better, with grey skies but no rain predicted. Temperatures will hit highs of 14C.

Monday, however, is set for day-long downpours.

Toy shop giant Hamleys has revealed what it reckons will be this year's must-have Christmas presents for kids.

And it doesn't look like it's going to be cheap.

The 2014 must-haves range from a doll named Cayla who uses speech-to-text Google software to look up answers to questions online, to the Doh Vinci 3D Deluxe Styler which mimics the principles of 3D printing.

The £75 My Friend Cayla answers questions ranging from her likes and dislikes to general knowledge and sports results, but only after she has been synced with a smartphone or tablet.

Cayla, who is suitable for children aged four and over, comes complete with "lovely hair and a cool outfit".

The £25 Doh Vinci Style and Store Vanity allows children to become a 3D designer, while the Kiddizoom Smart Watch comes with a colour touch screen and motion sensor, can take photos and edit them, record videos and play three built-in games, for £50.

Even Barbie is embracing "state-of-the-art technology" with the £40 Colour Change Bag which allows youngsters to hold it against any item of clothing and press a button to match more than 100 different shades.

Metal cages have been installed by warm air vents at Cardiff University to stop homeless people sleeping next to them.

Students have criticised the move, but the university claims the cages have been installed for health and safety reasons.

Student Lewis Hopkins told The Independent he was "sickened" after spotting the cages outside a chemistry building.

He said: "The homeless people are never there in the day, it's only overnight. They never caused any trouble, never littered nor gathered in groups.

"They were just content with finding a warm place to sleep at night."

A Cardiff University spokesman said: "The area covered by the safety grilles are not hot air vents but boiler flue vents that can potentially produce products of combustion - diluted amounts of carbon monoxide being one of these - as part of the diluted boiler flue gases.

"These vents are considered safe in normal use due to the type of flue dilution system being used but there could potentially be an increased risk if people are sleeping right next to the grilles for very long periods."

The controversy comes after "anti-homeless" spikes were installed outside a housing development in London. 

Porsche driver Aaron Beckett has failed in a bid to have his six month driving ban overturned after being caught by a speed camera doing 103mph on a dual carriageway.

The 31-year-old was handed down six penalty points by Stroud Magistrates' Court after he was caught speeding on the A417 at Dartley Bottom, Daglingworth on April 21, this year.

Gloucester Crown Court heard the penalty points Beckett received for going too fast in the 70mph zone, on top of the six he already had, meant he was given a six man ban from driving under the 'totting up' rules.

The court heard his offence could have led to a seven to 56 day ban or the penalty points as an alternative and he appealed his sentence asking for the former sentence to be imposed - which would mean less time disqualified.

Defending, Joe Maloney said Beckett accepted he had been driving at the speed caught by the camera.

He said: "It was a bright sunny day, there was hardly any traffic and he did not pay as much attention to his speedometer as he should have.

"He has respected the disqualification for the past two months.

"But he is a self-employed electrical engineer specialising in designing oil equipment, who travels 15,000 miles per year.

"He works principally from Gloucester and he has a contract that he could lose as he needs to attend meetings with clients.

"I have explained to him that this is a one chance saloon and if he keeps doing this he will attract more disqualifications."

But under cross examination, Beckett said he had managed to use public transport and taxis for the approximate four meetings a month he attends from his Gloucester Business Park place of work.

He said he had since sold his 10-year-old Porsche.

Judge William Hart refused his appeal saying magistrates were given training, and it was common practice, to give out the six points, as opposed to seven to 56 day ban, when drivers had previous points.

He ruled that Beckett, from Four Marks, Alton in Hampshire, had also not argued that he was suffering "exceptional hardship" because of the ban.

Dismissing the appeal, he said: "The appellant has given evidence of what amounts to his inconvenience and around the disapproval of his employers.

"He has experienced some hardship, but it falls short of exceptional hardship."

Beckett was ordered to pay £150 towards the cost of the appeal.

Twitter is in mourning today after ex-Manchester United star Roy Keane shaved off his impressive beard.

The Republic of Ireland's assistant coach gave his face the razor treatment before his country's Euro 2016 qualifier against minnows Gibraltar, which kicks off at 5pm today.

Using the hashtag ~RIPtheBeard," football fans expressed their remorse at the loss of one of the most talked about beards in football.

On Twitter, Andy Easton said: "Woken up to some very sad news, Keano's shaved his beard," while Matthew Spooner said: "Rumour has it Roy Keane is like Samson in the bible and his book sales will drop significantly now he's shaved off his beard."

Violent David Lynch was jailed for 28 months after hitting his partner in the face with a telephone in front of horrified city centre shoppers.

Lynch punched his girlfriend Louise Savory in the face several times before he smashed her with a handset while in a telephone box on May 17 this year and hit her dog.

One witness to the Gloucester attack, which took place on a busy Saturday morning, said he had to shield his children's eyes as the violence unfolded.

But just two days later, the 27-year-old attacked her again at their Oxford Street home, pushing her to the ground, slapping her across the face and then kicking her causing her to fall down the stairs.

Gloucester Crown Court heard Miss Savory had continued to write to Lynch while he has been remanded in prison, the pair are now engaged and she is believed to be pregnant.

Lynch pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing her actual bodily harm and admitted a further count of shoplifting on May 22 when he stole £85 worth of perfume from Debenhams in the city.

Prosecutor Christopher Smythe told the court: "She started a relationship with a defendant in November 2013. They lived together and in the first couple of months things were fine, but they both have a drink problem.

"There were various problems and between January and May she tried to leave, but each time she went back because she hoped he had changed and liked being with him."

He said it was 9.45am and Gloucester city centre was full of shoppers when the pair had a row.

"He threw a series of punches to the face before she was struck over the head with a telephone receiver when they ended up in a telephone box," the prosecutor said.

"John Lucas was with his children, he shielded their eyes to prevent them seeing.

"He said they went into the phone box and he punched her five times, hitting her as hard as a grown man could. He then picked up the handset and smashed it twice into her face.

"Their dog was jumping and growling and at one point he hit the dog.

"Police arrived and the defendant was heard to say 'tell them I didn't hit you'."

Mr Smythe said she did not make a statement, but two days later, when she tried to leave for a couple of days, Lynch launched a second assault.

He told police that some travellers had paid him £30 to steal the goods from Debenhams and he would have spent the money on drink and drugs.

The court heard Lynch had breached two suspended sentences for an attempted robbery and another assault on a man when he committed the crime spree.

Mr Smythe added that he would not be seeking the usual restraining order in cases of this type as Miss Savory had continued writing to him in prison.

Judge William Hart said: "You sometimes can't save people from themselves."

Defence solicitor Sabhia Pathan said the attack was carried out when clearly they were under the influence of drugs and alcohol and both of them were clearly consuming too much alcohol.

She said: "He describes himself as someone that has struggled with alcohol since the age of 15 and it was exacerbated in 2011 following the break of up with a previous long term partner.

"He has a list of 20 letters and cards sent to him within the last few weeks and in them it refers to her being pregnant.

"To use a phrase she is 'messing with his mind'. They are now engaged and continue to be in a relationship."

The judge jailed Lynch for 28 months and did not ask for a restraining order saying he hoped "the dust would have settled" once he had served his time.

Thousands of explicit images and videos sent using photo sharing app Snapchat have been reportedly leaked online.

Hackers intercepted many of the images via a third party app before posting them on a website.

There is concern that many images may be of children, as half of Snapchat users are aged between 13 and 17-years-old.

The cyber attack, dubbed the 'Snappening' comes after nude photos of celebrtities including Jennifer Lawrence and former Dr Who Matt Smith were published online after an iCloud security breach.

Snapchat said it was not the source of the leak and that is prohibits the use of third party apps.

"We vigilantly monitor the App Store and Google Play for illegal third-party apps and have succeeded in getting many of these removed," a spokesman said. 

Gloucester-based arts organisations GDance and Art Shape are joining forces to open their doors to a range of dance and arts for disabled and disadvantaged young people in the city.

The new enterprise, the Arts Inc Academy launches on Saturday, November 1 at City Works in Alfred Street, Gloucester.

Weekly sessions run from 2pm until 5pm and there is a special introductory rate of £30 for the first term of six sessions.

Participants will develop confidence and skills in dance, design and costume-making and will work towards creation of a short film.

The pilot course runs until March next year thanks to investment from Gloucestershire Community Foundation, the Tony Neather Trust and Gloucester City Council.

The Academy is designed to cater for eight to 18-year-olds with a range of disabilities but also welcomes non-disabled children and young people.

Thanks to specially trained tutors and assistants, teaching will be adapted to suit beginners as well as more experienced students.

The Arts Inc partners, GDance and Art Shape, specialise in promoting and producing inclusive dance and arts for people who face disabling barriers.

The Arts Inc Academy is being set up to enable children and young people with access needs to sustain their involvement in, and progression through, dance and the arts.

The aim is to give disabled participants the same kind of opportunities as many of their non-disabled peers.

The Academy is one of a range of projects led by the Arts Inc partners.

They have also set up a Carnival Arts Partnership and community engagement programme; run inclusive holiday clubs; delivered an Arts Inc Lab for local disabled and non-disabled emerging artists, and developed a leadership course in inclusive practice.

Course leader Ailsa Lane said that she was looking forward to running something that could have a big impact on people's lives.

"100 per cent of the hundreds of children, young people, parents, carers and education and health partners we've consulted with confirm there is a need for the Academy," she said.

"We're excited to put something in place which will accommodate the access needs of those who are currently struggling to find sustained classes through which to develop their creative arts skills."

To find out more about GDance and the work they do, visit www.gdance.co.uk

ONE Direction fans from across the county and beyond are descending on Gloucester Guildhall today for special screenings of the band's new film.

Three of the four Guildhall screenings of the 'Where We Are' film, being shown in cinemas worldwide on this weekend only, at have already been sold out.

The Gloucester venue is also holding an exhibition of One Direction fan art from around the world alongside its screenings at 10:45am, 2pm, 5:45pm and 8.30pm today.

Programming and Marketing Officer for the Guildhall Chloe Homer said: "We're really excited because it's not often that we get to take part in something this new. It gives One Direction fans ibn Gloucester something to remember and will bring the band to the city."

Sarah Davies, from Gloucester, has taken her nieces along for the morning screening.

She said: "The girls were really excited to come here. The art looks really good and it's nice for them to have a chance to see One Direction.

"Travelling to concerts with younger ones is too far and too expensive, so it's nice that the band are being brought to Gloucester in this way."

Katie Brookes, 20 and her sister Jennifer, 16, have travelled from Birmingham and Worcester just for the screening.

Katie said: "It's great that different types of artwork are on show from around the world. I don't really keep up with X Factor but One Direction sound good on the radio."

Jennifer said: "The band are massive because of the media focus. It started off in the UK but then many other countries became interested. It's really cool that fans around the world are able to showcase their art."

If you're not going out this weekend there are a host of TV treats to keep you entertained.

Glamourous Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One at 6:30pm on Saturday, where singers Pixie Lott and Frankie Bridge and Radio One DJ Scott Mills will battle it out to stay in the contest for another week.

An hour later tonight on ITV1, the first live show of the XFactor will be shown on ITV1 where pop star hopefuls will be taking on a selection of classic hits.

If you'd prefer an action-packed evening to the glitz and glamour of X Factor then Pierce Brosnan stars as James Bond in The World Is Not Enough on ITV2 at 7.25pm tonight.

The latest instalment of Doctor Who begins at 8.35pm tonight on BBC One, where Peter Capaldi is joined by guest stars Frank Skinner, David Bamber and Christopher Villiers.

Later on, Guy Ritchie's 2000 classic comedy drama Snatch is being shown on 5USA at 10pm, starring Brad Pitt, Jason Statham, Benicio Del Toro and Stephen Graham.

In sport, BT Sport 1 are showing live Rugby Union as Northampton Saints vs Sale Sharks from 2.30 today, and Wasps vs Bath at 2pm tomorrow.

England will look to continue their strong start to the Euro 2016 qualifiers against Estonia, at 4.30pm on ITV1 on Sunday, and the latest in the series of Downton Abbey is being shown on the same channel at 9.15pm tomorrow.

Sunday also sees the long-awaited return of multi-award-winning US drama Homeland, which begins its fourth season on Channel 4 at 9pm. 

They've given Gloucestershire the big ugly burger and the big ugly steak, but now it's time for the big ugly breakfast.

The Farmer's Boy in Longhope will from Monday offer food fans an appetising breakfast of six bacon rashes, four black pudding slices, six hash browns, three tomatoes, six sausages, three scrambled eggs, four slices of fried bread, six slices of toast and a third of a tin of beans.

Anyone who can finish this beast of a breakfast within 25 minutes will be given a place on The Famer's Boy's wall of fame and on their Facebook page, and a commemorative t-shirt.

It is the latest in a range of food challenges offered by the pub, who are also looking to give a pie and a curry the 'big ugly' treatment in the coming months.

The breakfast will cost £25 and will be available for the next month at the pub after it is trialled on Monday.

Around 300 people completed the burger challenge, and up to 200 managed the 48 ounce 'Big Ugly Steak.'

Hannah Cornwall, from the Farmer's Boy, said after pub owner Phil Kiernan was inspired to offer the super-sized challenges after watching TV show Man Vs Food.

She said: "People really like a challenge and they like the idea of seeing a huge amount of food and thinking 'yes, that's easy.'

"But they come and only five to ten per cent of them can actually finish it."

The Farmer's Boy are also asking people to give their ideas for 'big ugly' challenges on their Facebook page. 

Water ingress caused a track defect which derailed a freight train near Gloucester, a new report has revealed.

A 'cyclic top' defect had formed as a result of water flowing beneath a stretch of line, which resulted in the last wagon of a train coming off the tracks when it was travelling at 69mph near the city in October last year.

A Direct Rail Services freight train carrying a number of containers from Newport derailed four miles from the city's station due to the defect which caused evenly spaced dips in the rails.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) stated in an 81-page report into the incident: "The dips in the track had formed due to water flowing underneath the track and although the local Network Rail maintenance team had identified the cyclic top defect, the repairs it carried out were ineffective.

"The severity of the dips required immediate action by Network Rail, including the imposition of a speed restriction for the trains passing over it, but no such restriction had been put in place."

The report also acknowledged that the type of wagon that derailed was found to be susceptible to 'wheel unloading' when responding to these dips, especially when loaded with the type of empty container it was carrying.

A total of seven recommendations have been made by RAIB and Network Rail has been asked to review the drainage in the area where the train derailed, revise processes for managing emergency speed restrictions for cyclic top defects, provide track maintenance staff with a way of measuring cyclic top after completing repairs and investigating how cyclic top on steel sleeper track can be effectively repaired.

Recommendations have also been made to the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB).

Following the derailment at 8.15pm on October 15, the train continued to Gloucester station where it was stopped by a signaller. By then, the rear wagon was severely damaged, the empty container it was carrying had fallen off and there was damage to four miles of track, signalling cables, four level crossings and two bridges.

As a result, the line was closed for three days, causing widespread disruption to commuters.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "Safety is our highest priority and where we can make improvements to the way in which we work, we always seek to do so.

"Since the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) conducted their investigation, we have been working closely with them to implement the recommendations outlined in the report. We are now in a position where the majority of these recommendations have either been implemented or are about to be implemented.

"As a result of this incident, we have reviewed the way in which we work and will continue to liaise with the RAIB to make the necessary improvements."

From escapes to the country to tree-top adventures and horse-riding in Malaga, it is not too late to book what could be your last family break before Christmas with October's half term approaching.

Here are some suggestions for breaks during the week-long half term holidays, which begin on October 27.

Skating at Cornwall's Eden Project

Along with Cornwall's delightful beaches and blustery walks, the winter ice rink returns to the Eden Project from October 18.

Public skate sessions last for 40 minutes and cost from £6 per person. Penguin skating aids will also be on hand to help the very young skaters gain confidence on the ice, and on selected Saturdays there are special sessions for juniors aged six to 12-years-old.

Cottages in Cornwall

Self-catering cottages in Cornwall and Devon might be the perfect retreat from the busy nine-to-five routine.

There are cottages still available which are based just minutes away from beaches along the south coast, and major attractions such as the Eden Project.

City break in Bath

If you've got teenagers a city break in Bath, which had lots of activity centres and some of the best spas in the country, could be a great option.

You can kayak, canoe and paddle-board along the river Avon, and sample great shopping and dining.

During October Bath also holds The Great Bath Feast, which is a month-long festival where the city is jammed with food stalls and markets.

Adventures in the treetops

High-flying obstacle courses, activities and zip wires await at Tree Tops, in the heart of Snowdonia.

Visitors can find their way across rope bridges and obstacles, and there's also the Powerfan Plummet that gets you to climb a 106-foot tower, take in the views and then jump off.

There's something for the little ones too with woodland tree trails for four to eight-year-olds.

Horse-riding in Malaga

If you fancy a more extravagant end-of-year break, why not take a flight over to Spain for horse riding treks along picturesque mountains near Malaga.

The owners of Finca el Perote in the Guadalhorce Valley can arrange horse rides for families and there is also a pool area and a busy nearby town of Coin. 

CINDERFORD 11

COVENTRY 15

CAPTAIN Cliffie Hodgson kicked five penalties as Coventry edged Cinderford out at Dockham Road.

Despite a late try for George Evans, the Foresters slipped to their fifth defeat this term, a result which sees them in the lower ranks of the National One table with tough opposition Blackheath and Rosslyn Park to come.

Coventry came to Dockham Road with just one win in four encounters in the Forest of Dean - last season's 31-29 thriller.

But they have had a bright start in National One, winning three of five clashes so far and sitting sixth.

And there was a massive blow for the hosts in the first five minutes, as star centre Jack Adams fell to the ground holding his face.

Back in the side after breaking his nose against Tynedale, he suffered a huge cut to the face and was forced off in the place of Stef Hawley.

A fierce battle commenced as the rain poured down over the Beavis Memorial Ground in front of vociferous home and away support.

The two side traded penalties in the opening quarter.

Hodgson kicked two in the ninth and 19th minute, while Charlie Norman got Cinderford off the mark with a strike in the 11th minute.

Further indiscipline as Cinderford desperately defended in their 22 led to another simple penalty for Hodgson in the 24th minute. The full-back split the posts and Coventry edged 9-3 up.

But Cinderford struck back two minutes later. Coventry strayed offside as Cinderford were trying to string some phases of play together and Norman put them 9-6 behind.

The greasy conditions were causing handling errors galore on both sides, with knock-ons squandering chances to attack the whitewash.

The kicking game became all the more important, with both Wilcox and Mark Davies booting well-placed kicks to touch to gift Cinderford territory in an otherwise disjointed encounter.

As the clock ticked down to half-time, Wilcox made an electrifying break, before Elliot Booley gained further ground, but his offload just outside the 22 found Coventry hands.

Ever-reliable kicker Hodgson added another three points after a Cinderford late tackle in the 44th minute and Coventry continued to enjoy the lion's share of the possession.

A try looked likely in the 50th minute as Coventry centre Rob Knox hurtled towards the line but the ball was dropped as it entered the second phase.

At 12-6 down, Davies was binned for a deliberate knock-on and three minutes later, Hodgson capitalised on the number deficit as Cinderford conceded their 10th penalty.

The 40m kick sailed through for a 15-6 advantage.

But then Coventry lost a man as the game entered the final quarter, Sam Pailor binned for pulling down the line-out.

Tempers boiled over and the referee was reaching into his pocket for the third time to send Lance Randall off for fighting.

The game burst into life after a scrappy 10 minutes as Cinderford's driving line-out bulldozed over the whitewash, Evans touching down.

But Norman's conversion was wide and they faced a four-point deficit with just 10 minutes to go.

Coventry fans were celebrating moments later as Luke Hurrell appeared to touch the ball down but the referee would not allow it, instead blowing up for a knock-on as he dropped it over the line.

Cinderford were forced to soak up an enormous amount of pressure in the dying minutes, as 10 minutes of injury time were played.

The visitors played the last seconds of the game with just 14 men as Louis Silver was binned for a high tackle, but Cinderford could not capitalise and a losing bonus point was the only consolation.

CINDERFORD: M Wilcox (c), C Norman, S Hanks, J Adams (S Hawley, 5), S Baker, M Davies, D Pointon, J Smart, L Cole (D Wheeler, 69), E Booley (A Gordas, 53), L Randall, M Reynolds, G Mills (R Birkin, 73), C McNeil, G Evans

REPLACEMENTS: A Frame

COVENTRY: C Hodgson (c), D Lespierre (D Rundle, 70), C Macburnie, R Knox, W Hurrell, M Jones, W Evans (L Silver, 70) A Brown (B Obano, 70), M Price, C Thorne (J Fish, 50), S Morgan, T Poole, S Pailor, G Turner, E Milne (J Onojaife, 29)

REFEREE: Gareth Holsgrove

STAR MAN: George Mills

ATTENDANCE: 318

Faiths and cultures came together at Barton's Jama Al-Karim Mosque today during an educational visit by the Bishop of Tewkesbury.

Rt. Revd. Martyn Snow was joined by a group of Christians from Gloucester for a guided tour of the mosque in All Saints Road and to hear educational talks.

Visitors learned how Muslims pray, about the teachings of Islam and what the mosque has done for the Gloucester community over the years.

The purpose of the visit was to educate the community about the Islamic faith, to meet neighbours and to foster a greater religious and cultural understanding between different groups.

Rt. Revd. Snow, who is currently the acting Bishop of Gloucester, said: "This visit was held to try to learn from each other and show that Christians and Muslims can live in peace.

"It's all about growing an understanding of each other's faiths so we are more able to live together and work together. We hoped to bring as many people along as possible to learn as much as we can about a different culture."

Said Hansdot, city councillor for Barton and Tredworth who attended the event today, said: "Education about other's cultures is very important if we all want to live in harmony.

"Events like this help because not everyone visiting here today has been to a mosque before. Hopefully it will be an eye-opener for them."

There was also a chance for the visitors to ask questions to mosque volunteer and tour guide Abdullah Patel, and to clarify common misconceptions about the Islamic tradition such as whether Muslims can drink water during Ramadan.

The tour also discussed the origins of the Mosque, which was built in 1986, and a student recited a passage from The Quran, Islam's central religious text.

The visit had been on the cards for six months and involved the nearby St James Church.

Vicar of St James Church Tom Wilson said: "We thought it would be good to invite people from the church to help them find out about the mosque and bring the community together.

"Our church has been here before but it's good to reaffirm this."

Saracens 28 Gloucester 21 An early Rob Cook try was not enough for Gloucester as Saracens' relentless pressure told at Allianz Park. The Cherry and Whites raced into a 13-3 lead thanks to the full-back's score and the boot of Greig Laidlaw. But the shell-shocked hosts came storming back.

Chris Wyles cut the deficit after charging down a Billy Twelvetrees dink straight after Cook's try and Alastair Hargreaves crashed over for their second. Gloucester matched Saracens' physicality, intensity and sheer bloody-mindedness for large periods as Laidlaw kept them in touch but cracks eventually appeared. Saracens bludgeoned their way through the Cherry and Whites and Chris Ashton dived over. But Gloucester refused to throw in the towel and Tom Savage crossed at the death to snatch a well-earned losing bonus-point. Gloucester kept faith with the same starting line-up that overcame Leicester Tigers as they aimed to finish the first block of Premiership matches three wins on the bounce. From day one at Kingsholm David Humphreys has maintained Gloucester could only be clearly judged following their first six games and the performance was worlds away from their 53-6 opening day defeat to Northampton Saints. While the performance was not enough to secure victory it was full of heart, endeavour and determination. Gloucester made an encouraging start at Allianz Park with Matt Kvesic welcoming Shalk Brits back to the Premiership with a thunderous hit. The hosts barely touched the ball as Gloucester stretched their defence to earn a pair of penalties, which Laidlaw converted to open up a 6-0 lead after five minutes. Saracens worked their way into the encounter and Gloucester indiscipline allowed them to kick to the corner as they turned the screw. But Gloucester matched their physicality with some bone-crunching tackles in defence. Following a sustained period of pressure Ashton was released on the right but he was clattered into touch by fellow England wing Jonny May. Saracens kept coming and Hodgson kicked to the corner but the Cherry and Whites kept them at bay. They instead settled for a penalty which Hodgson slotted. But Gloucester continued to dominate and Billy Twelvetrees fired a sublime miss-pass to release Cook, who stepped Ben Ransom for the opening try. Laidlaw was once again on target but Gloucester instantly shot themselves in the foot with Wyles charging down a Twelvetrees chip to score. Hodgson was off-target with the conversion but the try handed the hosts a 15-13 lead at the break. The former England fly-half booted the scoreboard back into action with another penalty on 48 minutes and they piled the pressure upon the Cherry and Whites. Wave after wave of attacks crashed down on Gloucester and although they held firm, unforced errors and the refereeing of Dean Richards proved costly. The sustained pressure eventually told and Alastair Hargreaves smashed through the mid-field before releasing Ashton, unopposed on the inside. Hodgson slotted the conversion and quickly added a penalty to stretch their lead to 25-16. The veteran fly-half added yet another penalty in the closing stages but Gloucester refused to leave Barnet empty handed and after a succession of phases Savage touched down for the crucial try. B Ransom (A Goode 53); C Ashton, C Wyles, B Barritt (M Bosch 68), D Strettle, C Hodgson, R Wigglesworth (N de Kock 52); R Barrington (R Gill 52), S Brits (J George 7), K Longbottom (J Johnston 52), J Hamilton (G Kruise 59), A Hargreaves, E Joubert, K Brown (W Fraser 50), B Vunipola. R Cook; C Sharples, H Purdy (M Atkinson 68), B Twelvetrees, J May; J Hook, G Laidlaw (D Robson 71); N Wood (Y Thomas 67), R Hibbard (D Dawidiuk 57), J Afoa (S Puafisi 71), T Savage, T Palmer (E Stooke 64), S Kalamafoni (R Moriarty 66), M Kvesic (Y Thomas 66-67), B Morgan

Referee: D Richards Attendance: 9,084