Chiefs serve up a season’s best display to sink the Cherry & Whites on their own path

Gloucester  12 Exeter Chiefs  29

What a difference a week makes... Following a disappointing performance seven days earlier against Leicester Tigers, Exeter Chiefs produced the perfect response at Kingsholm to re-ignite their Aviva Premiership charge against hosts Gloucester.

In a sublime Sunday showing, Rob Baxter’s side served up a season’s best display to sink the Cherry & Whites on their own path. Aussies Ben White and Dean Mumm – just as they had done at London Irish earlier in the campaign – again got on the try-sheet, whilst fly-half Gareth Steenson weighed in with the remainder of the points courtesy of his right boot.

Gloucester countered with tries from backs Martyn Thomas and Johnny May – the latter of which was converted by Freddie Burns – but it was mere consolation against a rampant Exeter side in which No.8 Dave Ewers again excelled. After the Tigers loss, the Chiefs made four changes to their starting line-up for their latest top flight engagement. In the pack there were starts for both Chris Whitehead and White; while behind Dave Lewis came in at scrum-half for his first start against his former club and Matt Jess was recalled on the wing with Ian Whitten switching into the centre.

Likewise, the home side almost made a plethora of changes from their side which had won at Newcastle Falcons last time out. James Hudson made his Gloucester debut in the home pack alongside props Yann Thomas and Rupert Harden, who were both promoted from the bench. In the backs, Tavis Knoyle got the nod at scrum-half, while Mike Tindall and Martyn Thomas were also included from the outset in the home back division.

For the Chiefs this was the perfect remedy following last Sunday’s setback against the Tigers – and it was the ideal boost Baxter and his team needed ahead of their latest European adventure, which begins at home to Cardiff Blues a week today.

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter admits he couldn’t have asked for much more from his troops.

“That was a bit more like it,” said Baxter afterwards. “All I think we did was carry on where we started in the second half against Leicester. I kind of knew that performance was in us and it was just about the lads having the confidence to go out and do it and the freedom to let themselves play.

“When we play we are a very good side. I’m not saying that is the only way to play rugby, but for us that suits us and is comfortable.

“I thought the players’ response was absolutely magnificent. When you have lost a game of rugby the hardest thing to do is go out and play but we turned up here and from minute one we played.

“That shows great courage from the players and I am always happy when they show a bit of bravery and they go for it because you can’t ask for much more and the thing with us is that it tends to bring us results.

“So we are very happy with the result. It makes the table look a lot nicer because in the morning we were one off the bottom and now we are mid-table.” 

Referee: M Carley

Attendance: 14,582

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Cardiff Blues (H), Heineken Cup, Sunday, 13 October (12.45pm).

For the full match report click here.

Or click here for all the latest Exeter Chiefs news.

Words by Mark Stevens

Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency