Chiefs 41 Gloucester 38

Exeter Chiefs 41

Gloucester 38

Mark Stevens at Sandy Park

In terms of a first outing, it had a bit of everything, but Rob Baxter knows there is still plenty to work on for his Exeter Chiefs ahead of the new 2015/16 season.

Five tries in attack were certainly the key highlights, but shipping six in defence was somewhat of an issue for the experienced Exeter leader at the final whistle.

Of course he will focus on both the good and the bad over the coming weeks, but it was the former which far exceeded the latter in terms of the overall package in this exciting West Country Challenge Cup encounter at Sandy Park.

The free-scoring Thomas Waldrom picked up from where he left off last season scoring two first half tries, alongside another from debutant James Short (pictured), then in the second half Dave Lewis and Max Bodilly got in on the act with a try piece.

Goal kickers Gareth Steenson and Will Hooley weighed in with the remainder of the home points, whilst in reply Mark Atkinson, Jacob Rowan (2), Elliot Creed, Henry Purdy and Steve McColl, who also added four conversions, claimed Gloucester’s tries on the day.

After weeks of gruelling work on the training paddock for Baxter’s side, this inaugural fixture allowed the Chiefs to not only put into practice their new array of attacking moves, but at the same time get some much-needed fitness and contact work into their lockers.

With Baxter keen to ensure the majority of his squad were given a decent chance to impress, he pre-selected two different starting XVs for the visit of the Cherry & Whites. In the opening period, summer signings Olly Woodburn, Short, Alec Hepburn, Shaun Malton and Julian Salvi were all handed first starts, whilst the second period saw introductions for fellow newcomers Will Hooley, Harry Williams and Ollie Atkins.

It was, however, one of the old guard, fly-half Steenson, who was afforded the first chance of the game on three minutes. Sadly, the Irishman’s early effort drifted wide on the breeze and the visitors were momentarily spared.

Indeed, the let-off lasted just three minutes as the Chiefs opened their account through - you can probably guess, Waldrom - the No.8 propelling himself over the line from a well constructed line-out that saw Malton hit Don Armand before the ball was switched back.

Steenson slotted the extras to that score and Exeter’s second which arrived midway through the half through newcomer Short. The move initially started when Woodburn provided the impetus from a Gloucester clearance; then as the ball was worked back inside through the hands of Mitch Lees, Steenson and Malton, it was the latter who was able to field Short who sped round the outside for the try.

The Chiefs were cruising along nicely in the Devon sunshine, but they were given a momentary check when Gloucester broke their own duck when McColl was the beneficiary of a slick handling move. The former Doncaster Knight was able to coast over after Atkinson caused the initial havoc in the home defence with a decent break in midfield before linking with club-mate Mat Protheroe.

Normal service soon resumed for the hosts, however, as just before the break Waldrom - last season’s top try-scorer in the Aviva Premiership - was driven over for a second try, the England international the beneficiary of a more than helpful shove from his fellow pack members.

As is often the case, Steenson slotted the testing touchline conversion to put the hosts firmly in control at the break.

HALF TIME EXETER CHIEFS 21 GLOUCESTER 5

With a cast of new talent on show for the second period, the Chiefs did not get off to the best of starts as within six minutes Gloucester reduced the arrears as Atkinson picked off a pass from Ian Whitten just inside his own half before galloping clear and under the posts for McColl to convert.

In an instant, though, the Chiefs were soon back on the attack as Sam Skinner’s determined work up front created problems in the visiting defence, the results of which allowed Hooley to bang over his first points for Exeter with a straight-forward penalty from in front of the posts.

Back on track, the Devonians duly looked to press home their authority, both up front and behind where their razor-sharp backs looked particularly lively. A penalty to the corner from Hooley set-up another golden opportunity, the fruits of which were underlined when former Gloucester player Lewis was able to snipe off a close-range maul and in behind the posts for the converted score.

Gloucester - to their credit - countered impressively and following a string of penalties deep inside the Exeter 22, it came as little surprise when referee Ian Tempest dispatched home lock Damian Welch to the sin-bin for persistent infringing.

Now with the man advantage, the visitors duly made their hosts pay as another catch-and-drive line-out fashioned the opening for replacement Rowan to squirm over for a third Gloucester try that McColl was able to convert with a sweet kick wide on the right flank.

However, any hopes of a Gloucester revival in the final quarter were quickly extinguished as a second Hooley penalty was quickly followed by a fifth Exeter try, Bodilly (pictured) the latest to add his name to the scoresheet as he was on hand to race over after England international Tom Johnson had caught the visitors napping with a quickly-taken tap penalty.

Although down, Gloucester were certainly not out and they gave the scoreline a more flattering look when first Creed snuck over from a clever switch-move in midfield; then Rowan added a second of the afternoon when he was able to dot down in the right corner after the visitors had ruthlessly exposed the Chiefs out wide.

Even then there was still time for the visitors to nab yet another try, Purdy producing a sublime chip-and-chase that saw him outpace Johnson and Lewis to score in the corner. McColl slotted the conversion from wide on the left to leave just a three-point difference at the close.

Next up for the Chiefs in a fortnight is the visit of Bath and Baxter will no doubt be looking for a stronger defensive display from his troops.

Chiefs: P Dollman (B McGuigan h/t); O Woodburn (I Whitten h/t), P Laverick (M Bodilly h/t), S Hill (A Hughes h/t), J Short (M Jess h/t); G Steenson (capt, W Hooley h/t)), H Thomas (D Lewis h/t); A Hepburn (B Sturgess h/t), S Malton (L Cowan-Dickie h/t), M Low (H Williams h/t); M Lees (O Atkins h/t, J Hill 76), D Armand (D Welch h/t); D Ewers (T Johnson h/t), J Salvi (B White h/t), T Waldrom (S Skinner h/t).

Tries - Waldrom (2), Short, Lewis, Bodilly; Conversions - Steenson (3), Hooley (2); Penalties - Hooley (2)

Yellow Card:Welch

Gloucester: M Protheroe (H Purdy h/t); S McColl, O Thorley, M Atkinson (E Creed 69), S Reynolds (M Protheroe 69, J Evans 72); B Burns (capt, B Meakes 21), C Braley; D Murphy (P McAllister h/t), T Lindsay (L Cole 49), N Thomas (J McNulty 59); T Hicks (J Hudson h/t, E Stooke 72), E Stooke (A Craig 65); L Ludlow (W Safe 65), D Thomas (J Rowan h/t), G Evans.

Tries - McColl, Atkinson, Rowan (2), Creed, Purdy; Conversions - McColl (4)

Referee: I Tempest.

Attendance: 7,433

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Bath (H), West Country Challenge Cup, Saturday, September 19 (3pm).