Qera scored three tries to consign Leeds to National League One

Leeds Carnegie's relegation from the Guinness Premiership was sealed after defeat by Gloucester at Kingsholm.

Fijian Akapusi Qera flanker crossed for three tries and fly-half Ryan Lamb scored 19 points to keep the Cherry and Whites at the top of the table.

After Lamb converted Qera's opening try, Leeds hit back with two Alberto di Bernardo penalties.

But Qera set up Olivier Azam just before the half-hour to turn the match decisively for the home side.

Qera drove over from an attacking line-out just seconds after Leeds replacement Vili Ma'asi was sin-binned for illegally holding back Will James.

National League One is an extremely tricky league and we will just work hard and try to get out of it Leeds coach Stuart Lancaster

And he grabbed his third try on 68 minutes, which Lamb converted, while replacement Darren Edwards got a consolation try at the end for Leeds as Gloucester eased off.

Leeds, whose place next year will be taken by Northampton Saints, lasted just a single season in the top flight.

But head coach Stuart Lancaster said they have learned a massive amount from the experience.

"The Premiership is moving on a yearly basis. We've learnt a lot of lessons both technically and tactically," he said.

"You only have to look at Gloucester, with the strength they have in their squad, and it is a big gulf.

"National League One is an extremely tricky league to be in and we will just work hard and try to get out of it."

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan paid tribute to the Yorkshire side's fight.

"All we wanted to do was win and get a bonus point. It was difficult and Leeds deserve enormous credit," he said.

"We had to change tactically at half-time to be more direct otherwise we would not get the bonus point.

"Leeds kept putting the onus back on us to play."

Gloucester: Walker; Balshaw, Simpson-Daniel, Tindall, Vainikolo; Lamb, Cooper; Dickinson, Azam, Nieto, James, Bortolami (capt), Strokosch, Qera, Delve.
Replacements: Titterrell, Forster, Brown, Buxton, Lawson, Paterson, Morgan.

Leeds: Hinton; Armstrong, Vickerman, Burrell, Holtby; Di Bernardo, Bedford; MacDonald, Parkes, Pala'amo, Bouza, Hooper (capt); Oakley, Clark, Lock.
Replacements: Hopcroft, Ma'asi, Lund, Myall, Edwards, Brooks, Goodridge.