GLOUCESTER 3-16 MUNSTER

Gary Fitzgerald At Kingsholm 6/04/2008

Chris Paterson's golden boot crumbled and melted in the fierce heat of the Heineken Cup kitchen - and Gloucester's double bid went with it.

The Scotsman who was kicking them from the chandeliers for his country in the World Cup and Six Nations endured a personal nightmare on a miserable night at Kingsholm.

Paterson went three strikes and out - as he missed three simple kicks at goal - and was then told: "Thanks but no more thanks."

And the Cherrie and Whites suffered for the wing's inability in front of the posts with All Black legend Doug Howlett producing a mountainous performance in the Munster backline to ensure a last four birth.

Munster now face the winners of today's Saracens-Ospreys clash.

But poor Gloucester were left licking their wounds having blown so many scoring chances - but mostly left wishing Paterson had been his usually eagle-eyed best.

Head coach Dean Ryan was visibly upset by his team's ineptitude on the big stage and admitted: "We did everything we could to stop them but it wasn't enough.

"There wasn't a lack of focus or belief. I think you have to give the opposition credit.

Though it might have been a different game if we had taken a few of our chances."

While Paterson froze, All Black legend Doug Howlett had a real ball.

Howlett, one of the world's most destructive wings on his day, was here, there and everywhere at Kingsholm.

He tackled his heart out and fought for every ball going.

And he capped an individually brilliant night with a fine try.

Fellow wing Ian Dowling had a similarly influential affect on the Munster side.

Former Rugby League star Dowling got the Munster bulldozer moving fiercely with a superb first-half try.

Paterson had already started to look for a hole to fall down after missing his three kicks - and Ronan O'Gara had put his first kick between the Gloucester posts - by the time Dowling burst on to the scene.

Gloucester's defence was stretched to the limit with Munster throwing the ball from one side to the other.

And Dowling stood unchallenged to march over their line to score.

Gloucester's Italian prop Carlos Nieto was sin-binned for deliberate foul play at a ruck.

O'Gara made it 11-0 just a few minutes after the break - and you sensed even the loyal and noisy home fans feel that this was going to be a bridge too far to cross. And it was. Another counter-attack saw full-back Denis Hurley's kick through gathered by the supporting Howlett who dived across the line for the real killer try.

Ryan Lamb kicked the home side's only points with a penalty near the end - but the match was beyond them by then.

And Gloucester must concentrate on making sure they don't allow the Guinness Premiership also slip from their grasp as the run-in to the season gathers pace.

Munster, however, look a decent bet to repeat their 2006 Heineken Cup triumph.