A late showing for Exeter Chiefs wasn’t quite enough as Gloucester opened up a five point gap from Harlequins at the bottom of the table, after securing a bonus point win against Exeter.
Off to a flyer
The game had barely started before Paul Brown-Bampoe ran into Gloucester’s 22, and Ross Vintcent kept up with him to take the offload and go over for a try within the first minute. Henry Slade missed the conversion, but Exeter were 5-0 up after one minute.
However that lead didn’t last long, three minutes in fact. Max Llewellyn forced his way over for Gloucester’s first try of the afternoon, and with George Barton converting, Gloucester took a 7-5 lead with only four minutes on the clock.
The game settled down a little after that hectic start. Brown-Bampoe had to be replaced after a big collision with Ben Loader, which Brown-Bampoe stayed down from. He was able to leave the field off his own accord, but he was replaced by Ben Hammersley on 19 minutes.
Whilst Exeter were getting their bearings, Tomos Williams took advantage, after Gloucester were awarded a penalty at the scrum. Williams threw a dummy and darted over the line. Barton missed the conversion but Gloucester had extended their lead to seven points.
Seven points soon became 14 as Max Llewellyn went over for his second, and Gloucester’s third of the afternoon after Loader slipped a tackle and offleaded to the onrushing Welshman. George Barton converted this one, and with 24 minutes gone, Gloucester were 19-5 ahead.
Exeter Comeback
Exeter got back into the game, just when they needed to. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso carved his way to the tryline after a charge down by Lewis Pearson. Harvey Skinner popped up a pass for Feyi-Waboso on the edge of Gloucester’s 22. Henry Slade converted this one, and the gap was down to seven points.
Just before half-time, Will Trenholm forced his way over the tryline to secure the bonus point score, and with Barton converting his third of the afternoon, the lead was restored to 14, as the haf ended with Gloucester 26-12 ahead.
Exeter’s comeback started three minutes into the second half. Stephen Varney released Feyi-Waboso in his own half. Feyi-Waboso broke through the Gloucester defence, and Greg Fisilau benefitted from that break as he went over for the score. Slade’s conversion made the score 26-19.
Exeter then gave away a penalty at the breakdown, and Barton decided to go for the posts after than kick to the corner, and slotted the kick through the uprights from the middle of Exeter’s 22 to make the score 29-16. That penalty would proved crucial at the end of the game.
After the penalty, Gloucester extended their lead, on 63 minutes. A strong maul saw Trenholm bundle over for his second of the night. However, Barton missed the conversion, but the score was 34-19 – a strong position for the home side.
Nervy ending for Gloucester
The game became nervy for Gloucester as they looked to secure a spot in the Champions Cup, that eighth spot comes with. On 69 minutes, replacement Dian Bleuler was sent to the sin bin for bringing down the Chiefs maul, and a penalty try was awarded.
Three minutes later, and only 8 minutes left in the game, Exeter cut the lead to just two points. Henry Slade went over for the try, but missed his own conversion and the chance to level the score. That marked a poor day for the England Centre, as he missed three conversions. Exeter secured two bonus points to go back into fourth.
Gloucester managed to see the game out to win 34-31. Ethan Roots was shown the red card for a punch in the dying minutes, which alleviated some pressure on Gloucester.
Gloucester face Sale Sharks at Kingsholm next friday evening, whilst Exeter take on Bath, as the season heats up towards the playoffs.
