U18s Match Report: Exeter Chiefs 29 Gloucester 19

Exeter Chiefs U18s make it back to back wins in the U18s league by beating Gloucester 29-19 at Truro College.

Chiefs won the hard thought battle in tough conditions despite going 14 points down inside the first 25 mins. Gloucester utilised the strong wind in the first quarter of the game however Chiefs managed to claw their way back into the game with two tries, one from each wing (Noah Clifford and Rhys Williams). Gloucester got one more try before the break which proved to be their last score of the game making the half time score 19-10 to Gloucester.

The second half proved to be all Chiefs with all the territory, putting Gloucester under large periods of pressure. Second half tries from Josh Pengilly, Josh Mann and Mawgan Warren two of which converted by Freddie Hirst saw Chiefs run out winners 29-19 maintaining their unbeaten run at home in the competition with two league games away from home to come.

Academy Manager Rob Gibson said "It was a very pleasing performance by Exeter. Playing into the face of a very strong wind the team showed a lot of composure and managed the conditions extremely well. We managed to get field position at times and hold territory in what was always going to be a difficult half.

Gloucester capitalised on the conditions but a couple of key scores meant we were never really out of touch.

At half time we obviously discussed the area of field we wanted to play and the lads carried out those instructions extremely well.

The second half showed great intensity and committed defence in Gloucester’s half. Even without the ball it allowed us to control territory and turn the pressure into points. Gloucester did show really good fight toward the last 10 minutes and could have put pressure on us if they managed a score, Défense in the tight and loose at both ends of the field enabled us to manage the game really well.

The boys have a bye week now and we can go away and further work on areas of improvement. The pleasing thing is how they are responding to the coaches and application onto the field especially in pressure situations".

Chiefs U18s: J. Findlay, N. Clifford, N. Lilley, I Akinrowo, R Williams, F Hirst, J Pengilly, J Mann, T Bayley, B Woodmansey, L Evans (c), M Warren, T Dingle, F Rolls, X Retallack

Replacements: T Hocking, J Sherratt, A Dowse, E Gardner, B Harris, J Howard, R Richards, L Brano. 

Tries: N Clifford, R Williams, J Pengilly, J Mann, M Warren. Conversions: F Hirst 2

Yellow Card: M Warren

Gloucester U18s: W Walker, R Campbell, O Rendell, B Benson, L Callow, T Fortey, J Lilwall, E Allen, R Cummings, A Bosworth, J Balding, J Evans, S Stand, C James (c), O Allport.

Replacements: O Clark, B Kerslake, Ogen-Metherell, K Freeman-Price, J Pearce, H Tovey, J Hopson.

Tries: R Campbell, B Benson, J Lilwall. Conversions: T Fortey 2

Referee: Rebecca Piddlesden

Images provided by Jay Harris