Chiefs just miss out on final

By Mark Stevens

Skills coach Ricky Pellow saw his young Exeter Chiefs side narrowly miss out on a place in the final of this season’s Premiership Rugby Sevens at Kingsholm.

Needing victory against London Irish in their final run-out of the night, the Devon club were undone 24-5 by the Exiles, who themselves joined group winners Gloucester in booking their place in next Friday’s Grand Final at the Twickenham Stoop.

Led by back-row ace Sam Simmonds, the Chiefs got off to a sluggish start as Gloucester claimed three tries without reply through Dan Thomas (2) and Steph Reynolds, who played a key role in the Cherry & Whites’ sevens success last year.

Sam Showering and Reynolds again plundered scorers in the second half, but the Chiefs did not go down without a fight, as Jack Faulkner and Tom Dowding found the gaps to reduce the arrears in a 29-14 loss.

With Bath next up for Pellow’s young guns, the Chiefs - who had shown signs of life in their second-half showing against the hosts - were much improved in this latest outing as Dowding, Stuart Townsend and Rob Coote helped to build an early advantage.

Bath threatened a comeback through Will Homer and captain Chris Cook, but Faulkner and Tom Hendrickson found plenty of green grass to a seal a 33-12 victory for Exeter.

By Gloucester’s second game Kingsholm had already crowned their player of the round as Reynolds stormed to two identical tries – breaking from deep inside his own half – against Irish.

Declan Williams and Max Berry scores made sure things were not entirely comfortable for the Cherry and Whites but a 17-10 win meant they were heading for The Stoop.

The Exiles then had to dust themselves off for a winner-takes-all showdown with the Chiefs and Cam Cowell’s converted try gave them the upper-hand by 7-5 at half-time.

Paddy O‘Grady and Steele then wrapped it up after the interval – before Hunt’s kick-and-chase added the gloss – to join Gloucester for the finale on Friday, August 8.

Results: Gloucester 29 Exeter Chiefs 14, Bath 19 London Irish 24, Exeter Chiefs 33 Bath 12, Gloucester 17 London Irish 10, Exeter Chiefs 5 London Irish 24, Gloucester 24 Bath 0.