Gloucester and Bordeaux-Bègles Draw 36-36 in Europe Opener

Gloucester and Bordeaux-Bègles opened their Investec Champions Cup campaigns with a 36-36 draw at Kingsholm on Friday, each scoring five tries in a high-scoring match that ended with neither side able to secure a winning score. The result came in the opening round of the competition. Gloucester led 24-17 at halftime, but Bordeaux-Bègles moved ahead after the break before Gloucester replacement Will Trenholm scored twice in quick succession to restore the hosts’ advantage. Louis Bielle-Biarrey also scored twice for the visitors, whose comeback brought the score level at 36-36. The sides traded the lead four times, according to the match account, and the contest remained unresolved into the closing minutes. Gloucester turned down a late opportunity to kick at goal and chose to go for the corner, but the attack did not produce points. The game ended after a final scrum, with the score still tied. George Barton scored a try, kicked four conversions and added a penalty for Gloucester. Trenholm’s two tries made him a decisive contributor off the bench. Max Llewellyn and Arthur Clark also crossed for the hosts, while Martin Page-Relo, Sipili Falatea and Pablo Uberti scored...