Chiefs lose by a point to Gloucester

Match report: Exeter Chiefs 25 Gloucester 26

Unlike Game One of their Aviva Premiership existence, Exeter’s 100th top flight encounter failed to bring the same rewards for Rob Baxter’s side, writes Mark Stevens.

Back in September 2010, the Chiefs stunned the rugby world when they saw off visiting Gloucester 22-10 thanks to a Mark Foster try and the deadly boot of Gareth Steenson.

Five years down the line, Devon’s finest have grown in stature, forging themselves as one of England’s leading lights.

On this occasion, though, Steenson was unable to repeat the feat as a late conversion attempt rebounded off the post and spared the Cherry & Whites.

After a tight opening half, one in which Gloucester led thanks to two Greig Laidlaw penalties, the second period burst into life with a flurry of points.

In the end, it was the visitors who triumphed as converted tries from Tom Savage and Ben Morgan, coupled with a sweet Billy Twelvetrees drop-goal, proved sufficient for Gloucester to enact revenge on their defeat by the Chiefs earlier this term.

Exeter, it has to be said, will be kicking themselves though as tries from wingers Jack Nowell and Matt Jess, plus another for the free-scoring Thomas Waldrom, were deemed not enough.

Steenson slotted two conversions and two penalties to add to his seasonal tally, but it was his late miss that proved significant.

Having suffered back-to-back defeats on the road at both Sale Sharks and Bath, Baxter was hoping a return to a capacity Sandy Park crowd would provide the perfect pick-me-up heading into the New Year.

The home side stuck with an unchanged back division, but they were forced into changes up front.

A knee injury meant Damian Welch was sidelined in the second row, so into the fray came Mitch Lees and he was joined at the last-minute by Ben White, who was promoted from the bench after Don Armand’s wife went into labour prior to kick-off.

White’s inclusion in the starting XV meant his void on the bench was filled by Academy youngster Sam Simmonds who – along with lock Jerry Sexton – was one of two players included in a Chiefs Premiership line-up for the first time.

Meanwhile, Gloucester – who themselves suffered successive home defeats to Bath and Wasps over the festive period – also made changes with Darren Dawidiuk and Ben Morgan brought in up front, whilst Tongan international David Halaifonua was handed his first start for the club.

It was, however, the visitors who were first to show in this late kick-off, nudging themselves in front with just three minutes played when Scottish international Laidlaw landed a lengthy penalty after the Chiefs were pulled up for going off their feet.

Despite the early blow, the Chiefs looked to respond and they threatened twice through wingers Matt Jess and Jack Nowell. The former fumbled on the Gloucester line following a clever grubber kick in behind from Henry Slade; then Nowell just missed out as Jonny May recovered well following an earlier fumble on halfway.

Although the Chiefs were bossing possession and territory for much of the opening quarter, they fell further behind on 22 minutes when prop Moray Low was harshly adjudged to have dropped a scrum.

The Scotsman’s indiscretion allowed compatriot Laidlaw a second shot at goal and the scrum-half did not disappoint as he dissected a lovely kick between the posts at the North End.

With Exeter’s accuracy adrift and handling errors proving costly at key moments, the Chiefs did offer a decent threat on the half-hour mark when Messrs Chudley, Dollman and Ewers broke clear through the heart of the Gloucester rearguard.

However, as the visitors scrambled in defence, No.8 Thomas Waldrom was unable to carry on the attack as his intended pass was spilled by a team-mate just metres from the try-line.

Undeterred, the Chiefs looked to get themselves up and running and they were afforded a decent chance just prior to the break when Nowell was taken out off the ball by Gloucester lock Tom Palmer.

The first penalty to the corner was a mess and allowed Gloucester to clear the danger, but afforded a second line-out move, the home side cleverly worked the ball across the field to the onrushing Jess, who was thwarted at the death as he looked to power over on the charge.

Half time: Exeter Chiefs 0 Gloucester Rugy 6.