Exeter defeat Gloucester 39-12 at Sandy Park

Exeter Chiefs 39-12 Gloucester, Sandy Park

Exeter Chiefs came out with a clinical performance as they defeated Gloucester 39-12 in the latest round of the Gallagher Prem at Sandy Park on Saturday.

Right from the kickoff, Exeter exploited their set-piece strength. In the 4th minute, hooker Jo­seph Dweba powered over from a catch-and-drive close to the line — the Chiefs pack laid the platform, allowing Dweba to finish the move. Exeter’s fly-half Henry Slade nailed the conversion soon after, giving the hosts an early advantage.

Gloucester responded quickly. Around the 6th minute, Will Joseph broke the line from deep following quick recycling of ball – using his pace and support off scrum-half Tomos Williams, he scored in the corner. The conversion was taken and polished the response.

However, Exeter re-took control by orchestrating two further tries in quick succession (14th & 17th minutes). First, Slade himself finished a backs-move, cutting inside then grounding in the 22. Immediately thereafter, winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso capitalised on strong forward carry and quick support to ground the ball. Slade converted both to make it 21-7.

Gloucester offered a glimmer of hope with a try by Freddie Thomas around the 24th minute, following a piece of broken play which the Cherry & Whites exploited down the flank. But Exeter’s structure remained tight, as Slade added back to back penalties to take the home side to 27-12 lead at the end of the first half.

After the interval, the pattern shifted to a more attritional battle. Exeter’s defence held firm; Gloucester’s attacking surges were repeatedly repelled. Exeter managed to keep control of territory and set-piece, limiting Gloucester’s line-break opportunities.

Key moment came around the 69th minute when Slade finished his second try of the match. A sustained build-up inside Gloucester’s 10 metre zone featured multiple phases of pick-and-go from the Exeter forwards, culminating in Slade diving over from short range. This try effectively sealed the contest making it 32-12.

In the 78th minute, Exeter’s lock Jack Yeandle crashed over for the final try after another dominant forward set-piece sequence. The conversion was slotted by substitute kicker Josh Hodge as Rob Baxter's men completed a 39-12 victory.