BIAR LEAVE GLOUCESTER PUNCH DRUNK.

BIARRITZ 42 GLOUCESTER 15 GLOUCESTER'S Heineken Cup hopes were dealt a heavy blow following defeat against Biarritz Olympique in Pool Two.

Takudzwa Ngwenya scored a hat-trick as Biarritz ran in five tries to secure a bonus-point victory at Parc des Sports Aguilera.

Tom Voyce and Jake Boer both went over in the second half to save Gloucester from a humiliating scoreline, but further tries by Ayoola Erinle and Valentin Courrent ensured Biarritz were rarely troubled.

France international Dimitri Yachvili opened the scoring after just two minutes with an early penalty that was cancelled out by Nick Robinson.

Yachvili landed two more penalties, the latter when Andy Hazell was shown the yellow card.

With Gloucester reduced in numbers, Biarritz scored the first of Ngwenya's three tries. The United States international sped past Tom Voyce to score on 33 minutes, however Yachvili failed with the conversion.

Hazell returned but Biarritz still added a second try just before half-time when Ngwenya kicked and gathered the ball to touch down, converted by Yachvili.

Ngwenya raced clear to complete his hat-trick after 49 minutes. Yachvili converted to stretch the lead to 28-3. Gloucester retained possession, moved the ball through the phases and took minimal risks before Voyce broke through from close range. Freddie Burns missed the conversion but Gloucester had reduced the deficit to 28-8. However Biarritz scored a fourth try to claim the bonus point just four minutes later through Erinle, who finished well. Yachvili converted to establish a 35-8 lead. Again Gloucester scored, the forwards driving on before Boer picked up and dived over. This time Burns converted.

Courrent went over two minutes from time to complete a comfortable win.

SCORERS: Biarritz - tries: Ngwenya (3), Erinle, Courrent; conversions: Yachvili (4): penalties: Yachvili (3).

Gloucester - tries: Voyce, Boer; conversion: Burns; penalty: Robinson.