Exeter Chiefs celebrated their first win of the Gallagher Premiership season with a hard-fought 22-15 victory over Gloucester Rugby at Sandy Park, ending a 232-day wait for success. The win not only lifted the Chiefs off the bottom of the league table but also brought immense relief to players and fans alike who had been yearning for positive results.
From the onset, Exeter made their intentions clear. Just two minutes in, they capitalized on a dramatic Gloucester lineout blunder. After the Cherry and Whites' hooker Seb Blake overthrew from five meters out, Exeter's Dan Frost seized the opportunity, darting over the line to open the scoring. Henry Slade successfully converted, providing the hosts with the perfect start, leading 7-0 early on.
The momentum continued to swing in Exeter's favor as the first half progressed. Slade, with his dynamic play, looked increasingly comfortable at fly-half and played a key role, particularly when he made a beautiful cross-field kick to Tamati Tua. The Kiwi winger showed skill, stepping inside his marker to secure Exeter’s second try. By halftime, the scoreboard read 14-3, leaving Gloucester seemingly on the back foot.
Gloucester, desperate to improve their standing, emerged with renewed energy after the break. Within minutes, they capitalized on another lapse from Exeter. Tua’s intercepted pass allowed Gareth Anscombe to sprint from halfway, scoring under the posts, narrowing the gap to 14-10. The experienced fly-half Santi Carreras converted, shifting the game’s momentum.
Exeter regained composure as they struggled to maintain control. The Cherry and Whites remained resilient, and soon after, Jamal Ford-Robinson powered over from close range following effective mauling from Gloucester. Suddenly, the away team found themselves leading 15-14, with momentum firmly behind them.
But it was Exeter’s turn to rally. A penalty awarded to the home side allowed Slade to kick successfully, restoring their lead at 17-15. The tension heightened as the minutes counted down. Santi Carreras, with the chance to retake the lead for Gloucester, shockingly missed what should have been a routine penalty, allowing Exeter the breathing space they dearly needed.
With less than ten minutes to play, the Chiefs executed their game plan with precision. Following several phases of possession, the impact of Exeter’s bench players was evident, particularly as Zack Wimbush broke through and created space. Slade again displayed his vision, finding Rusi Tuima, who came within inches of scoring again. Finally, Josh Iosefa-Scott bustled over from close range, clinching the much-needed win for the home side. The crowd erupted as their first league victory of the season was assured.
Post-match, Henry Slade reflected on the dramatic turnaround: "It is awesome to see a sell-out crowd get the first win of the season. It felt really good. It felt even more special today with the energy we hesitated to feel for so long." Slade's leadership on the pitch was certainly instrumental to Exeter's success.
Exeter's director of rugby, Rob Baxter, was visibly relieved and proud of his team’s grit. He told BBC Radio Devon: "I'm obviously pleased with the result, but it was always going to be... a game of swings and stress. One minute you think we're going to lose this, the next we fought back." His words encapsulated the rollercoaster of emotions the match provided.
On the other hand, Gloucester head coach George Skivington expressed disappointment, acknowledging their shortcomings: "Result aside, because we always want to win, I just don't think we played very well. We had opportunities to score but failed to connect the way we typically have. It’s always tough against teams like Exeter, especially at their ground."
This victory not only marked milestone relief for Exeter but also pointed to potential rejuvenation within their ranks. With their first win under their belts, they now look to build upon this success, hopeful of climbing up the Gallagher Premiership table. Meanwhile, Gloucester will need to regroup quickly as they seek to re-establish their form.