The Prem
Exeter (12) 24
Tries: Iosefa-Scott, E Roots, Varney, Gulley Cons: Slade 2
Gloucester (26) 45
Tries: Loader 2, S Atkinson, Lake 2, Joseph, Denny Cons: C Atkinson 4, Barton
Gloucester delivered an outstanding performance on the first weekend of the new Prem season to stun Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.
The Cherry and Whites only once won on the road last term as they finished eighth, but they matched that immediately with this superb showing.
Summer arrival, and new captain and Wales skipper, Dewi Lake led the way with two of their seven tries.
Winger Ben Loader helped himself to two, while Seb Atkinson, a fine solo effort from Will Joseph and a debut try from Junior Denny completed their try haul.
Exeter finished as runners-up last season after losing to Northampton Saints in the final in June, but they were well beaten.
Josh Iosefa-Scott and Ethan Roots grabbed their first-half scores before Stephen Varney and then Louie Gulley ensured they at least managed a bonus point.
After a few years in the doldrums, Exeter had a thrilling spring and summer with their unexpected run to The Prem final at Twickenham. With new American investment at Sandy Park, hopes are high about the direction of travel in Devon but this was a rude awakening to the new season for Rob Baxter’s team.
The Cherry and Whites had a miserable campaign in limping home in eighth and they have not reached the play-offs for seven years, but the acquisition of Wales pair Lake and Jac Morgan has increased belief for the new campaign.
That was in evidence in their positive start as they worked the ball from one corner to the other, with Ben Redshaw’s kick bouncing up perfectly for Loader to finish.
A sustained spell of phases eventually resulted in Iosefa-Scott driving over from close range for the hosts before a smart kick over the top from scrum-half Caolan Englefield allowed England centre Atkinson to win a foot race and touch down as Gloucester regained the lead.
Loader’s second try extended that advantage as he showed impressive footwork to conjure up another fine kick towards the left corner and dive over.
Gloucester had produced an impressive opening half, but Roots grabbed a second try for the hosts as the flanker found himself on the wing with nobody able to stop his charge.
However, there was still time for the men from Kingsholm to secure a bonus point by the break as captain Lake brilliantly went over in the corner after he had turned down a kick at goal to earn a 26-12 interval lead
Lake’s influence in his new team was there for all to see as he was at the back of a driving maul to grab his second try for a dominant Gloucester.
Joseph then scored the try of the game with a brilliant burst of speed from inside his own half that took him outside and inside three defenders.
Varney quickly grabbed Exeter’s third try and with visiting flanker Freddie Thomas sin-binned for the final 10 minutes, replacement hooker Gulley went over on his Prem debut to ensure the Chiefs at least claimed a bonus point.
However, that debut try was matched by 18-year-old winger Denny, who scored with the last play of the game to seal Gloucester’s first win in Devon since 2015.
Exeter: Hammersley; Feyi-Waboso, Salde, Butt, Woodburn; Skinner, Varney; Burger, Yeandle, Iosefa-Scott, Jenkins (capt), Wilson, E Roots, James, Fisilau.
Replacements: Gulley, Goodrick-Clarke, J Roots, Beckerleg, Bailey, Murray, Haydon-Wood, Wimbush.
Gloucester: Redshaw; Jospeh, Cokanasiga, S Atkinson, Loader; C Atkinson, Englefield; Rapava-Ruskin, Lake (capt), Fasagbon, Kleyn, Clark, F Thomas, Morgan, Trenholm.
Replacements: Innard, Bleuler, Knight, Clement, Ludlow, Robson, Denny, Barton.
Yellow card: F Thomas (71)
Referee: Matthew Carley
