Joy for Exeter Chiefs with first league win

The road has been long and painful for Exeter Chiefs but they can now finally celebrate a first league win of a traumatic season in the Gallagher Premiership.

It has been an incredible 232 days since Exeter recorded a league victory but they had a bite to their play from the opening minutes at Sandy Park, and deservedly grabbed the lead when Dan Frost dived over from a loose Gloucester lineout on just two minutes.

The Chiefs were in relative dreamland when an astute kick from Henry Slade was picked up by Tamati Tua to score out wide. Exeter defended stoutly to retain a 14-3 lead at half-time but home nerves were shredded when a sloppy pass was intercepted by Gareth Anscombe had the visitors within four points early in the second period.

Gloucester had the impetus and grabbed the lead with a bustling try from Jamal Ford-Robinson but the Chiefs stayed confident, restoring their slender advantage with a penalty from Slade. It was then down to a try from Josh Iosefa-Scott to confirm a very welcome 22-15 victory.

Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter told BBC Sport: "I'm obviously pleased with the result, but it was always going to be that kind of game at the end with swings and stress.

"One minute, you think we're going to lose this towards the end and Gloucester are going to take control but then we fought back.

"They missed a kick at goal and then we go down the other end and score the match-winning try.

"It was just about the result and it was a positive one for us and hopefully it can give the players and the coaching group that bit of confidence that pushes us forward."