Gloucester open season with win over Chiefs

It was the visitors, adorned in their violet away kit, that got the scoreboard ticking, capitalising after 10-minutes of consistent pressure in the homeside's half. The defensive dam eventually burst with Lewis Pearsons' pick-and-go putting the second-row over. Harvey Skinner was unable to add the extras. 0-5

Despite the penalty count stacked against them, it was Gloucester who would score next, stalwart Lewis Ludlow sailing over after collecting a pass from Will Josph, who had broken free down the wing. Ross Bryne nailed the conversion to put Gloucester ahead by 2. 7-5

The referee’s arm would continue to raise against the Cherry & Whites, eventually lading to Exeter’s second score with 33-minutes gone; a driving maul off a 5-meter lineout putting Rusi Tuima over. Skinner’s conversion was sent wide. 7-10

The Chiefs’ lead was short lived, however, as Max Llewellyn, who returned to the field after a six-month injury, crossed the whitewash for Gloucester’s second try. Jack Clement’s break from inside his own half put the homeside in space, linking Charlie Atkinson, Caolon Englefield and onto the Welsh centre, who outpaced the opposition to cross under the posts. 14-10

Exeter would respond just before the break with a repeat of their earlier score, a Gloucester penalty putting the visitors in driving maul territory, Ethan Roots dotting down. Skinner missed his third of the night to bring the half-time score to 14-15. 

Gloucester shot out the blocks in the second half with Afo Fasogbon appearing to clamber over the line, only for referee, Joe Janmes, to call held up – much to the contempt of the Kingsholm faithful.

The Cherry & Whites would get their chance soon after as Ross Bryne executed a precision perfect cross field kick, collected by Josiah Edwards-Giraud, who dotted down in the corner. Bryne’s kick sailed wide of the posts. 19-15

As Gloucester grew into the game - utilising the bench, including a welcomed return for Matias Alemanno - so did their confidence, and the free-flowing rugby the Shed have come to expect became increasingly effective. It will have been pleasing to Director of Rugby George Skivington, then, that Gloucester’s fourth score would come from a dominant driving lineout, Jack Innard taking the spoils. Bryne added the two. 26-15

With five minutes left on the clock, George Barton’s penalty nudged Gloucester ahead by more than two scores. 29-15

Exeter looked to end the game with assurgency, despite the win out of reach, kicking for the 5-meter lineout when Gloucester were caught offside deep in their 22. Their efforts were nullified, through, when the homeside's pack pushed the maul into touch, and the final whistle blew.

Gloucester will return to Kingsholm next Friday for their second PREM Cup fixture, taking on Bristol Bears, kick-off 7.30pm.