The Exeter Chiefs showed exactly why they top the Gallagher Premiership at the moment, repelling what Gloucester Rugby could throw at them in the first half before efficiently accumulating points in the second to ease to a 15-26 win.
It was a frustrating night for the Cherry and Whites who struggled to break down the visitors throughout due to a combination of excellent defence from the Chiefs and a number of errors and indiscipline from the home side.
The first half was a story of taking chances. Exeter went ahead early having forced a couple of penalties and then driving over from close range thanks to their well drilled pack. It was pretty much their only real attack.
On the other hand, Gloucester Rugby hammered away in the Exeter 22 for long periods but only came away with a penalty to show for their efforts and trailed 3-7 at half time.
The Cherry and Whites were still in touch as the second half commenced, poor discipline allowed the Chiefs to ease clear. Exeter barely got inside the 10 metre line, but kicked four penalties to open up a 3-19 lead.
And the killer blow came just after the hour mark, as an excellent counter attack from a long kick downfield resulted in Stuart Hogg diving over for the second Exeter try, the excellent Steenson adding the conversion.
Gloucester Rugby’s bench did make an impact. Callum Braley was an early replacement for the injured Joe Simpson and had a fine game. His break led to Jake Polledri forcing his way over from close range, before Louis Rees-Zammit touched down out wide after more pressure.
It narrowed the gap to 15-26, but the Cherry and Whites were out of time and left to reflect on what might have been against the Premiership’s top side.
Time is up. Gloucester Rugby really improved as the game went on and will be disappointed not to have scored again at the end of the game. Exeter were simply better and the Cherry and White'sill-discipline really hurt them in the end.
They are showing great commitment by sticking this one out. The ball goes forward and that's the end of the game.
He's done it again! Louis Rees-Zammit gets over for Gloucester Rugby's second try of the game. There was space out wide and the backs distributed the ball to perfection. The conversion is missed.
They win a penalty at the scrum so Cipriani kicks the ball out and Gloucester Rugby will have a 5m lineout.
The Cherry and Whites have suddenly kicked into gear. The forwards are carrying like they have fireworks up their backsides. They have the put in to a scrum 5m out from the Exeter try line.
Twelvetrees adds the extras.
YES!
Jake Polledri has come on from the bench and has carried like an animal. He's so strong. He dots the ball down over the line and has kick started the Cherry and White's comeback.
Come on Glaws.
They have the ball in the Exeter half and Mostert make a galloping break though the defence. The Cherry and WHites are less than a metre away!
Steenson is accurate as ever.
Oh dear.
Stuart Hogg breaks through the Gloucester Rugby line and manages to score the try without dropping the ball!
The Cherry and Whites really need to change their plan.
Gloucester Rugby make a list of changes...
Another Steenson penalty inches its way over the posts. Exeter are building a healthy lead here.
Gloucester Rugby give away another penalty in their own half. It won't be long until there's a yellow card.
He's slotted it again.
Rapava-Ruskin gives away another penalty at the breakdown. Steenson lines up yet another kick at goal...
Ohhh it just sneaks over the post. Gloucester Rugby are giving Exeter free points with their ill-discipline.
Val Rapava-Ruskin is penalised for not releasing. Steenson lines up another kick at goal.
A great turnover from Lewis Ludlow. Gloucester Rugby get the ball wide in attack but fail to get anywhere so are forced to kick. Exeter have the lineout on the halfway line.
The Exeter fly-half extends his sides lead with a 40m penalty kick. Gloucester Rugby are giving away too many penalties.
Ben Morgan comes away with the ball from the Exeter scrum and kick starts a Gloucester Rugby attack. Rees-Zammit is passed the ball and makes a break but the referee has blown his whistle once again.
Another penalty goes against Gloucester Rugby.
Exeter are really putting the pressure on but the Cherry and White's line remains tight. Exeter have a scrum 7m out and are looking to get the ball out wide.
The away side have kept hold of the ball and seem happy to just go through the phases and deny Gloucester Rugby of any possession. The Cherry and White's ill-discipline is shown once again as they give away another penalty, giving Exeter a 5m lineout.
We are underway. Gareth Steenson kicks us off and Gloucester Rugby take the ball clenly and look to set up an exit strategy.
It's been a very physical game so far. Gloucester Rugby had 59% of possession and 62% of the territory in the first half but Exeter have been able to defend well and when they do have the ball they look brutally difficult to hold down.
The Cherry and Whites will look to start quickly in the second half and get momentum on their side.
Very tight first half here at Kingsholm. Exeter are looking physical but the Cherry and Whites have handled the pressure well so far and are only four points behind at the break.
The second half is going to be a close one!
Gloucester Rugby drive well at the lineout and do enough to win a penalty. They hoof the ball down the field and will have another lineout in the Exeter half.
Can they score in the dying minutes of the half?
Gloucester Rugby get a good shove on at the scrum which sets their attack up nicely. However, Exeter turn the Cherry and Whites over and go back to battering the home side's defence.
Gloucester Rugby are going through the phases well but then knock the ball on. They are playing some good rugby and are looking to break Exeter down.
After making an error earlier on in the game, Cipriani puts in a beautiful kick which makes his side lots of territory.
Cipriani throws a pass back inside which is intercepted. However, Exeter are penalised in the following phase and Gloucester Rugby boot the ball down the field and will have the lineout on the halfway line.
Exeter snatch the ball and boot it down the field. Gloucester Rugby throw in at the lineout and look strong in attack with the ball in hand.
Tom Marshall tears down the pitch chasing a kick with rolls out 6m from the Exeter line. Great set of play from Gloucester Rugby. They force an error at the lineout and will now have a lineout themselves 7m out.
Joe Simpson hobbles off the pitch and is replaced by Callum Braley.
Twelvetrees slots the kick and gets Gloucester Rugby on the score board.
After all that hard work, the Cherry and Whites are rewarded with a penalty. Twelvetrees lines up a shot at goal.
Gloucester Rugby were unable to launch any attack from their 5m scrum. Exeter drove them back and forced the Cherry and Whites to overplay and make mistakes in attack.
The players will be frustrated having come so close to scoring.
Gloucester Rugby spend multiple phases battering away 1m out from the try line. The Exeter defence was strong but we come back for a Cherry and White penalty.
The home side opt for the scrum and will look to attack 5m out.
Chris Harris make a break and offloads to Franco Marais. Cipriani came running through but the pass was unable to be made.
Gloucester Rugby still have the ball and Louis Rees-Zammit tries a chip over but the ball trickles off the pitch.
It's deemed that the ball went out via and Exeter hand so Gloucester Rugby have the lineout.
Referee Craig Maxwell-Keys deems Gloucester Rugby to have made a high tackle. Exeter clear their lines and will have the lineout.
Gloucester Rugby have the ball 10 away from Exeter's try line! Come on Glaws.
Straight from the kick-off, the Cherry and Whites attack with intent are right up in the Exeter 22. The ball goes forward but it's a good start from the home side.
Exeter have the scrum 10m away from their try line.
The conversion is good.
Exeter have scored. Their carrying has been too much for Gloucester Rugby. Something needs to change. Jacques Vermeulen wrestled his way over like he has done so many times this season.
The Exeter centre is carrying like a raging Bull. The Gloucester Rugby defence is doing a good job at stopping him but they have given away a penalty. Exeter attack 5m out.
Gloucester Rugby win the lineout and are then awarded a free-kick. They have opted to take the scrum just outside of their 22.
They win the ball and fire a heavy runner into the midfield. The Gloucester Rugby defence remains strong but the away side are making metres deep in the Glos half.
Joe Simpson clears the ball to perfection. Exeter fire it back but Matt Banahan collects it well and kicks it down the field.
Exeter looked threatening but knock the ball on giving the Cherry and Whites the scrum just inside their own 22.
It's nice and wet out on the pitch.
Gerbrandt Grobler collected the ball well but Billy Twelvetrees knocks the ball on in the next phase.
Exeter have won a penalty at the scrum.
We are underway.
Danny Cipriani gets us going with a long kick into the Exeter half.
The flames are set off.
The Gloucester Rugby players are out on the pitch.
Here we go.
The Cherry and Whites will use a special edition heritage shirt for tonight's game.
How many legends can you spot in this video?!
The players are in from their warm-ups.
The Shed is on fire.
This is going to be a good one.
Less than 45 minutes to go until kick-off here at Kingsholm.
The Cherry and Whites host Exeter and will be looking to make your Valentine's day special with a win.
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