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Exeter Secures First Premiership Win Against Gloucester
In a thrilling encounter at Sandy Park, Exeter Chiefs managed to secure their first victory in the Gallagher Premiership this season, edging out their West Country rivals, Gloucester, with a final score of 22-15.
Having struggled throughout the season, with their last league win dating back to May, Exeter finally broke their drought, lifting them off the bottom of the league standings, surpassing Newcastle.
The match saw Exeter initially establish a lead thanks to a combination of efforts from hooker Dan Frost and centre Tamati Tua, both scoring tries in the first half. Academy graduate Henry Slade successfully converted these attempts, while Gloucester could only reply with a solitary penalty from Santi Carreras.
However, the game shifted momentum in the second half as Gloucester made an impressive comeback. They quickly took control, with fly-half Gareth Anscombe and substitute prop Jamal Ford-Robinson scoring tries, the latter of which was converted by Carreras, placing Gloucester momentarily ahead in the match.
Despite the scoreboard pressure, Carreras missed a crucial conversion and a subsequent penalty, giving Exeter a chance to reclaim the lead. Slade managed to slot in a penalty, setting the stage for Josh Iosefa-Scott to secure the victory with a try just six minutes from the final whistle.
Exeter took the lead early on in the match. A mismanaged lineout from Gloucester led to Frost capitalizing on the mistake, quickly putting the Chiefs ahead. Slade’s conversion brought the score to 7-0 and boosted Exeter’s confidence.
Following an early miss by Slade from a long-range penalty, Carreras managed to score for Gloucester, narrowing the gap. But Exeter continued to dominate the first half, marking their territory and showcasing an aggressive intent that left Gloucester on the back foot.
Slade, who posed a constant threat with his attacking runs, alongside the robust pack led by captain Dafydd Jenkins, outweighed Gloucester’s famed offensive strategies, which struggled to find rhythm throughout the opening period. As a result, Gloucester faced a gap of 14-3 by halftime.
The start of the second half was wild, with Exeter’s Tua inadvertently allowing Anscombe to intercept a pass, leading to a free run to the try line that gave Gloucester a surprising lifeline and quickly narrowed Exeter’s lead.
Gloucester then faced setbacks with injuries to key players, notably losing wing Christian Wade to a head injury, followed shortly by lock Matias Alemanno’s departure due to an arm injury. Yet, the team showed resiliency, responding swiftly by converting a close-range lineout into points through Ford-Robinson’s try.
With the score now in Gloucester’s favor at 15-14, the match intensified. Carreras had a subsequent chance to increase the lead but missed a relatively straightforward penalty opportunity, paving the way for Slade to give Exeter a slight edge with another penalty.
In the final moments of the match, Exeter regained control as their forwards asserted dominance, culminating in Iosefa-Scott’s decisive try that solidified the win for the Chiefs.
This match not only marks a critical win for Exeter in their campaign but provides a glimmer of hope for the remainder of the season, showcasing their resilience and ability to perform under pressure, while Gloucester will be looking to regroup following a tough defeat.
Source
www.skysports.com