Gloucestershire missed out on a Twickenham final after going down 13-11 against Surrey on a desperately disappointing county championship afternoon at Esher.

The visitors almost got out of jail in the very last minute when outside-half James Moffat was narrowly wide with a penalty, but Surrey deserved to win a generally low-key encounter.

Much of the opening quarter was played in the Gloucestershire half, but the visitors did create one exciting opening when Moffat broke from his own line and released winger Kai Little.

Unfortunately, the move came to nothing, and Surrey took a deserved lead after half an hour when winger Tom Hunt crossed for a try on the right following a clever kick from outside-half Matt Noble, who also added the conversion.

The visitors were unlucky to have a try disallowed when hooker Sam Evans was adjudged to have knocked on as he crossed the line from a lineout drive.

The opening 40 minutes concluded with Surrey, who were expertly led by skipper Ed Carne, once more on the attack.

Moffat opened his side’s account with a penalty straight after half time, but Gloucestershire did not reach the home 22 again for the next 15 minutes. Then, at last, they mounted an incisive attack, and Moffat’s pass gave full-back Steff Hawley room to touch down for a try wide on the left. Moffat was unable to convert from a difficult angle.

With 12 minutes of normal time remaining Noble missed a long-range penalty for Surrey, but he was successful with an easier kick three minutes later to put his side back in front.

With time running out, Moffat kept his head to land a 38-metre goal to put Gloucestershire one point ahead, but an injury-time penalty from Noble gave Surrey the lead once again.

There was time for one more play, and Gloucestershire earned themselves a further penalty 35 metres from the posts. Moffat struck the ball well, but it just missed the target, and the final whistle signalled a frustrating end to Gloucestershire’s county championship campaign.

Surrey (London Irish Wild Geese unless stated): E Carne (captain, Dorking), T Hunt (Dorking), S Fieldwick (Dorking), J Reville (Wimbledon), S Sutherland (Esher), M Noble (Dorking), B Smith (Guildford), C Connor, C Gibson (Rosslyn Park), C Leigh (Esher), S Hobbins, J Gray (Rosslyn Park), R Crossland (Barnes), A Mackay, D Laventure (Wimbledon). Replacements used: H Paul, M Poole (Guildford), G Dean, C Raymond, B Meeson, J Arbury (Dorking). Not used: J Flanagan (Wimbledon)

Gloucestershire (Cinderford unless stated): S Hawley, T Babarinsa, W Mansfield (Newent), R Winchle, K Little, J Moffat, D Pointon, J Smart (captain), S Evans (Thornbury), J Elliot, J Shields, J Robson (Dursley), M Lane, M Bennett, H Hone. Replacements (all used): M Addis (Newent), T Brockett, G Angell (Old Patesians), R Webb (Newent), W Keenan, J Dean (Newent), C Gellert (Newent)
Referee: Dr J Cook