Chiefs U18s 34 Gloucester U18s 26

By Mark Stevens
24/1/17

Exeter Chiefs Academy manager Robin Cowling has spoken of his delight at the way the club's Under-18s side have started their new season.

Saturday's 34-26 victory over Gloucester at Sandy Park ensured the Chiefs maintained their winning start to the Premiership's Academy Under-18 League.

Having won at both Bristol and London Irish in their opening two fixtures, the Chiefs got off to a storming start in this latest encounter, racing into a 15-0 lead thanks to tries from Richard Capstick and Joe Elderkin. one of which was converted by Gwyn Parks, who also added a penalty.

The visitors, though, hit back strongly and by the break were 19-15 in front as they made the most of the opportunities afforded to them.

Exeter used the break to regroup and in the second period they were again much improved as No.8 Rusi Tuima added their third try, quickly followed by a fine solo effort from winger Jake Penprase.

Although Gloucester again hit back with a second try through scrum-half Charlie Chapman, it was the home side who finished the stronger, sealing victory with a try through hooker Will Ridout.

Post-match, Cowling said: "We've got a good group of lads this season, all of whom are responding well to the coaching and applying the principles learned.

"Each game you can see the whole squad are growing in spirit, they are now relaxing around one another, and you can see they are very together, which is really evident in pressure situations."

Chiefs: T Williams; J Penprase, C Gilbert, J Elderkin, AJ Cant; G Parks, J Snow; J Kenny, B Phillips, A Petch; J Parker Cooke, L Pearson,; T Clarke, R Capstick, R Tuima. Replacements: W Ridout, D Southworth, J Hodge, H Culverhouse, W Gibson, S Maunder, O Gibbon, F Marks.

Tries - Capstick, Elderkin, Tuima, Penprase, Ridout; Conversions - Parks (3); Penalty - Parks

Gloucester: R Dunn; A Morgan, T Seabrook, D Cole, J Reeves; C Penny, C Chapman; S O'Malley, W Haly, A Seville; C Allen, C Dyke; A North, J Tonks, B Fry. Replacements: J Bartlett, M Nelson, E Seville, E Bennion, A Hinkley, C Terry, E Fenley, E Bouge.

Tries - Haly, Chapman (2), Bouge; Conversions - Cole (3)