Aviva Premiership: Burns guides Gloucester to victory
Freddie Burns kicked six penalties for Gloucester in an 18-16 win against Exeter Chiefs at Kingsholm on Saturday.
Last Updated: 22/12/12 6:26pm
Visiting hooker Simon Alcott scored the only try of an enthralling contest, but Burns punished the Chiefs as Gloucester came from behind to win by two points.
Exeter fly-half Gareth Steenson converted Alcott's try and added three penalties of his own but it was not enough.
Both teams got to grips with each other at a frantic pace right from the start.
Burns struck first with a 30-metre attempt before Steenson landed a booming 35-metre effort from the left touchline and then put the Chiefs into a 6-3 lead with an easy 15-metre shot after an infringement by the Cherry and Whites.
Gloucester found their way back into the match as the interval approached and nearly got the first try of the match when full-back Rob Cook played a delicate chip-and-chase over the head of the Exeter defence and, after pressure on the visitors' line, scrum-half Jimmy Cowan was held-up over the line.
Referee Llyr Ap Geraint Roberts brought play back for a Gloucester penalty which Burns booted to level the scores.
Burns put Gloucester six points ahead with two penalties after the teams resumed, but the Chiefs refused to surrender and after Steenson landed a third penalty, they put pressure on the home side which eventually told when Alcott picked up a ball from the back of a ruck and just got over the line to touch down.
Steenson converted but the lead was cut soon afterwards to a single point as Burns landed his fifth penalty to set up a thrilling finale.
And fatally, Exeter went over the top of a ruck with seven minutes left, leaving Burns to boot his final penalty to put the Cherry and Whites back in front and see them to victory.
