Mixed team's performance is praised by Gibson

Delighted Exeter Chiefs coach Rob Gibson was full of praise for his side’s showing as they kicked off their LV= Cup campaign in emphatic style with a 42-15 victory over London Welsh at the Kassam Stadium.

Academy coach Gibson joined Ricky Pellow (skills coach) in heading up a Chiefs side which was made up of a healthy mix of fringe first-teamers and exciting youngsters, all of whom were keen to prove a point at the Oxfordshire venue.

In a contest in which the Devon club controlled for long periods, their efforts were duly rewarded as Jack Nowell (2), Nic Sestaret (2), Will Carrick-Smith and Mark Foster all crossed for tries; whilst fly-half Henry Slade weighed in with a further 12 points with the boot.

Welsh, who defeated the Chiefs earlier in the season at the same venue in the Aviva Premiership, replied with five penalties from former Scottish international Gordon Ross. However, it was not enough to prevent the Chiefs from returning home with maximum reward.

“It was a very, very good victory, but one the boys had to earn. It wasn’t given to them,” said Gibson. “It was a close score at half-time, but they dug deep, and the young players showed a bit of flair, and the older players showed some really good leadership qualities. The scoreline perhaps flattered us in the end, but what a scoreline it was!”

For the full match report click here http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/gibson-hails-the-chiefs/