Gloucester hold off Exeter
Billy Meakes evaded two Exeter defenders to score Gloucester's first try
©Press Association
James Hook set up the first try of the game and landed a long-range penalty for Gloucester
©Press Association
Gloucester held off a stern challenge from Exeter to win their European Challenge Cup semi-final 30-19 at Kingsholm and set up a final clash with Edinburgh next month.
Reaction - David Humphreys, Gloucester DOR
"It was a complete performance from the first minute to the last.
"We've been criticised throughout the season for not doing that and we knew if we were to beat Exeter we had to be on the very top of our game.
"We didn't panic, our set piece was strong and we defended well when they came back at us as I knew they would.
"Our league position is not an accurate reflection of our season as we are a better team than that."
Rob Baxter, Exeter boss
"We underperformed and a few people have learnt a few things on how to play in this fantastic environment.
"The set piece proved to be a big part of the game and they managed it better than we did.
"A lot of the scrums ended up on the floor, which was not the case in last week's game against Northampton."
Leading 13-6 at half-time, they stayed ahead in the second half although Exeter fought back to make the score 13-12 and then 23-19 with four minutes to go.
Bily Meakes and Tom Savage crossed for the home side while Elvis Taione dotted down for Exeter to set up a thrilling finale.
However, roared on by the home fans, Gloucester stole the ball from the restart and Jonny May ran clear to put the game beyond the Chiefs.
Greig Laidlaw kicked three conversions and two penalties while James Hook, who set up Meakes' try, landed a long-range penalty.
Henry Slade landed four penalties for Exeter while Gareth Steenson converted Taione's score.
Twickenham Stoop will host the final on 1st May.
Gloucester started the match strongly and retained possession although it was Exeter who came closest to opening the scoring.
From a maul deep in their own half, Thomas Waldrom burst through and combined with Phil Dollman before he was hauled down by Billy Twelvetrees.
The first two scrums saw Gloucester's pack ascert their ascendency and although they lost number eight Gareth Evans to injury, they took charge.
After 17 minutes of frenetic play from both sides, Laidlaw landed the first blow with a penalty and three minutes later Slade levelled with one of his own.
Twelvetrees missed a drop-goal soon after but Gloucester remained on top of the game and got their reward when Hook kicked through for Meakes to beat two Exeter defenders, collect and score.
Laidlaw converted and Hook then landed a penalty from inside his own half. With the last kick of the first half, Slade kicked his second penalty to make it 13-6 to Gloucester at the interval.
Slade struck again in the second half to reduce Gloucester's lead to four points before Exeter secured a vital turnover with Matt Kvesic and Hook threatening to score.
Laidlaw then missed a penalty and when Slade took his next opportunity, it was a one-point game with 20 minutes remaining.
Gloucester continued to dominate possession and territory and twice turned down kickable penalties to instead opt for a driving line-out and were rewarded when Savage crashed over.
Laidlaw converted and added a penalty to give the home side valuable breathing space.
Once again, Exeter came back, throwing everything at Gloucester and substitute Taione crossed for a try that was converted by Steenson.
That made it 23-19 but although they successfully claimed the restart, they were forced to try to run the ball back from their own half and Gloucester capitalised to put the game beyond them.
