Aviva Premiership: Exeter Chiefs beat Gloucester to go top of the table

Exeter Chiefs came away from a trip to Gloucester with a hard-fought 25-22 victory that saw them move to the top of the Aviva Premiership table.

Goalkickers Gareth Steenson and Henry Slade combined to punish Gloucester's poor discipline at Kingsholm. Fly-half Steenson landed four penalties and a conversion of flanker Ben White's first-half try, while Slade capped an impressive individual performance by booting two long-range strikes.

Exeter’s victory made it two wins out of three this term and climb one point above unbeaten trio Saracens, Bath and Leicester.

Gloucester dominated early on through tries from wing Jonny May and prop Dan Murphy, but they handed Steenson and Slade regular opportunities to punish them, which they gratefully accepted.

The cherry and whites have so far leaked an average of 35 points and four tries per game during new rugby director David Humphreys' reign, and although it is early days for a new-look squad, a losing bonus point secured by flanker Sione Kalamafoni's touchdown will provide scant consolation.

Half-backs Greig Laidlaw and James Hook each added a conversion, while Hook slotted a late penalty, yet Exeter kept their composure as the clock ticked down, following up a landslide opening weekend win at London Welsh with another away victory.

Gloucester huffed and puffed during the stamina-sapping closing stages in an attempt to salvage the contest, but Exeter confirmed their reputation as a solid Premiership outfit through a thoroughly-professional performance.

Early lead

A thrilling try from May and one from Murphy saw Gloucester go into a 12-6 lead after 15 minutes before Whitten returned from being sin-binned for Exeter.

Gloucester's early zip and promise had evaporated, and Exeter did not require a second invitation to establish a commanding advantage by half-time.

Superb approach work by back-row forwards Thomas Waldrom and Dave Ewers set up a close-range score for White that Steenson converted as Exeter went in front for the first time, then a Slade penalty made it 22-12 at the break as Gloucester trooped off with plenty to contemplate.

And it almost got even worse for the home side after Slade scythed through Gloucester's midfield defence before replacement scrum-half Will Chudley kicked on and touched down, but referee Matt Carley ruled a forward pass by Slade after consulting with television match official Geoff Warren.

Gloucester then had substitute Matt Kvesic harshly yellow-carded for what Carley ruled was a dangerous tackle on the charging Waldrom, and Slade hit the target from just inside Gloucester's half to open up a 13-point Exeter lead.

Exeter preserved that lead until into the final quarter, but Kalamafoni's 63rd-minute touchdown, converted by Hook, set up a gripping finale as Gloucester moved to within striking distance.

Hook's 72nd-minute penalty gave Exeter further cause for concern as pressure began to mount, but they had done just enough to frustrate their opponents and reach the early-season Premiership summit.