Match report: Gloucester Academy U18s 31- 22 Chiefs Academy U18s

Despite scoring four tries at a rain-soaked Hartpury College, Exeter Chiefs Academy’s U18s team could not prevent Gloucester from taking the win in round four of the Defender PREM Next Gen competition.

Gloucester U18s made a strong start to the game with three unanswered tries in the first quarter with the opening score coming from winger Dan Stewart followed up by a brace from fly-half Tom Azam.

Chiefs winger Archie Guyver got points on the board for the away team in the 26th minute, only to be answered straight back with a fourth try for Gloucester from centre Freddie Trevis to make the half-time score 26-5.

Chiefs came back at the home side in the second half scoring three tries through lock Jeremey Keys, replacement hooker Charlie Swan and back-rower Ronnie Amestoy. With one conversion from Will McIntosh, Chiefs left Hartpury College with 22 points. Gloucester added another try in the second half to make the final score 31-22.

Exeter Chiefs Academy assistant manager Marc Dibble said: “Saturday was a real arm wrestle of a game. Not only were we battling against a strong Gloucester team, we also had to battle some extremely tough weather conditions with rain coming in from all angles and a strong wind proving difficult to play any free-flowing rugby.

“It was a great learning game for our players who wouldn’t have played in conditions like those for a long time. Our key decision makers will get a lot from a game like Saturday’s which is vital in their development.

“We will review the game like any other and take the learnings and grow into the next block of games in January.”

Exeter Chiefs Academy’s U17s also lost 36-26 to Gloucester’s U17s.