Chiefs lose match by just ONE point

Exeter Chiefs 13 Gloucester 14

Often the scourge of Gloucester in previous top flight battles, the deadly right boot of Exeter Chiefs marksman Gareth Steenson was this time unable to land his side a telling blow against their Aviva Premiership rivals.

Handed the shot with the clock up, the Irishman’s last-gasp conversion drifted wide of the target and gave the visiting Cherry & Whites only their second-ever victory at Sandy Park.

In a pulsating conclusion to the contest, Gloucester saw both Sila Puafisi and Sione Kalamafoni dispatched to the sin-bin as they look to curb Exeter’s late attacking onslaught.

Although the Gloucester defence was breached when replacement Don Armand snuck over with seconds remaining, Steenson still had the ultimate task of nailing the crucial conversion.

Sadly, it did not happen for Devon’s finest, whose other rewards came from a try by Matt Jess and a penalty by fly-half Henry Slade.

In reply, Rob Cook’s boot kept his side in contention as he punished various indiscretions from the Chiefs, but he was unable to land the extras to Charlie Sharples’ early second half score.

Looking to respond after their mauling at the hands of the Tigers the week previous, Baxter made three changes to his line-up from that which started at Welford Road. Up front, England international Tom Johnson came in at open-side for Ben White; whilst behind Jess and Tom James were both included after injuries to both Jack Nowell and Fetu’u Vainikolo.

Gloucester – fresh from their high-scoring home win over Newcastle Falcons – welcomed back England trio Ben Morgan, Jonny May and Billy Twelvetrees into their ranks, as well as experienced duo Will James and Jimmy Cowan.

And it was skipper Twelvetrees who helped to fashion an early opening for full-back Cook, who thought he had crossed the whitewash after just two minutes. Sadly, the former Cornish Pirates back saw his effort chalked off by referee Matt Carley who, having checked with the TV match official, spotted an earlier knock-on by the visitors in the build-up.

The Chiefs made the most of the let-off and preceded down field where, after an initial break from fly-half Slade, he combined with Luke Arscott and former Gloucester favourite Dave Lewis to put the home side within strike range. Although Lewis was felled deep inside the visiting 22, Gloucester’s scramble defence saw them stray offside, gifting Slade the chance to plunder the resultant penalty.

*Pictures:Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency

Referee: M Carley

Attendance: 10,171

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