Chiefs undone by Gloucester

Exeter’s wait to book a first-ever appearance in the Aviva Premiership play-offs will have to wait a little bit longer as they were undone by a courageous Gloucester outfit at Kingsholm.

Scoreless at the break following a bone-crunching battle of attrition, it was the home side who prevailed during the second period, claiming a converted score from Olly Thorley, as well as three penalties from Greg Laidlaw.

The Chiefs countered with three penalties from fly-half Gareth Steenson, but it was never enough on a damp and dismal night for Devon’s finest. With Rob Baxter’s side looking for an immediate riposte following their European Champions Cup exit the week previous, the visitors made just one enforced change to their starting XV from that which went down to Wasps at the Ricoh Arena.

A knee injury to Scottish international Moray Low meant he was forced to sit this one out, so Harry Williams was promoted from the bench to fill the tight-head role, while Carl Rimmer was added to the list of replacements. Gloucester, like the Chiefs, were also licking their wounds after surrendering their European Challenge Cup crown with a surprise home defeat against the Dragons.

They made a handful of changes with prop Yann Thomas coming in for his first Premiership start of the season, while Jeremy Thrush and Paul Moriarty were also included to add some sizeable bulk to the home pack. Behind, England international Billy Twelvetrees was also back in harness in the midfield alongside Henry Trinder, who was switched last minute from the wing after Mark Atkinson pulled out prior to kick-off.

Atkinson’s absence meant Olly Thorley was called up from the bench to earn a maiden Premiership start. So, with personnel in place on a damp and dreary night at Kingsholm, the opening exchanges were largely restricted to a decent arm-wrestle between the respective packs.

Both sides did their best to gain some early ascendancy, but it was more of a mud wrestle, rather than running rugby that was providing the entertainment for the crowd of just over 13,000.

See more at: http://exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/gloucester-16-chiefs-9/#sthash.2bVyAMSP.dpuf

Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency