Kick start: Steenson got Exeter off to a flyer Exeter coach Rob Baxter sounded a word of warning after the Chiefs celebrated their first game in the top flight with a consummate victory at Sandy Park.
Seventeen points from the boot of fly-half Gareth Steenson and a try from former Gloucester wing Mark Foster were enough to see last season’s Championship winners home on an emotional after in the West Country.
Nearly 10,000 fans pitched up on the edge of the M5 to see the Chiefs take on a Gloucester side who have grand designs on finishing in the top half, at least, of this season’s Premiership table.
However, on the evidence of this, they will achieve nothing of the sort. Exeter, despite the words of their coach, won fair and square, and with room to spare.
Still, for Baxter, the champagne corks will not be popping yet.
He said: ‘It’s not a time to do a lap of honour or to start organising parties. It’s time to celebrate the win and to look ahead to next week, when we go to Leicester.’
His opposite number Bryan Redpath said: ‘I wasn’t surprised by what Exeter threw at us or by the way they played. But I was surprised and disappointed with the way we played and the number of errors we made. We have to put that right quickly.
'I have told the players exactly what I thought of our performance.’
Title hopes: Gloucester's Mike Tindall and Exeter's Tommy Hayes (left) posed with the Aviva Premiership Trophy before the gameIf there had been any doubting Exeter’s quality and desire to succeed at this level, they settled that issue within four minutes, when centre Phil Dollman sent in Foster for a try that Steenson converted from the touchline.
The early score spurred Gloucester into action. Twice they threatened the Exeter line before No 8 Luke Narraway and scrum-half Dave Lewis combined to send former England wing James Simpson-Daniel in for a try.
Steenson then took over, the former Irish schoolboy international leaving opposite number Nicky Robinson green with envy.
Tom Johnson (L) of Exeter controls the ball in front of Lesley VainikoloThe 26-year-old kicked three successive penalties to help his side into a comfortable and deserved 16-5 interval advantage.
Robinson, in contrast, missed a conversion and two penalties and looked particularly shaky during a half that was dominated by an outstanding performance from Exeter’s back row.
Another dreadful miss by Robinson three minutes into the second half set the trend and despite a try from replacement Tim Taylor, it was the Chiefs who finished on top thanks to a drop-goal from Steenson 11 minutes from time. It was a wonderful start.
source: dailymail
