Chiefs spoil neighbours' party

Exeter Chiefs notched up another away-day victory, this time against their near neighbours Gloucester.

Ben White’s first half try, coupled with the laser-guided boots of Gareth Steenson (pictured) and Henry Slade, proved just enough on the night for the Chiefs to sink hosts Gloucester at a packed Kingsholm.

The Cherry & Whites played their part in a thrilling encounter, claiming tries through Jonny May, Dan Murphy and Tom Palmer, but it was never enough even though James Hook did his best to set up a grandstand finale.

Narrowly undone 24-20 by the Tigers in their last outing, Baxter tinkered with his line-up slightly handing first starts of the season to both Ben Moon and Damian Welch in place of Carl Rimmer and Ryan Caldwell, while on the bench the experienced Phil Dollman and England ace Jack Nowell were also included.

Gloucester, meanwhile, handed a Premiership debut to England Under-20s starlet Henry Purdy in the centre – and there were changes in the pack as Sila Puafisi and Tom Palmer were given the nod over John Afoa and James Hudson.

It was, however, the Chiefs who were first to show on the night. From the outset they quickly set about the Cherry & Whites with a lively tempo that brought them reward inside three minutes.

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