Morgan strikes late to claim crucial victory for Gloucester

Gloucester kicked their losing habit by holding on for a crucial triumph over Gallagher Premiership leaders Exeter Chiefs.

The Cherry and Whites were forced to defend for their lives to secure their first win in six matches, after Ben Morgan’s late try.

Nic White had given the Chiefs an early lead, before Gloucester showed their attacking teeth to take control, thanks to Jason Woodward and Willi Heinz.

Rob Baxter’s Exeter struck back to level the scores with Tom O’flaherty’s try, and it looked as if they would cruelly deny Gloucester at the death, but the home team pulled through.

“It doesn’t matter how the game was won, but if we hadn’t won it we would have looked back and rued the missed opportunities,” said Johan Ackermann, Gloucester head coach. “That win was massive in the play-off race, we gave a lot of teams an opportunity to get back in the hunt, and it will go down until the end of the season, but we’re back in the race now.”

Exeter’s trademark direct approach earned some early rewards as White sniped over and Joe Simmonds converted for a 7-0 lead, before Billy Twelvetrees cut the gap with a penalty and then Woodward put Gloucester on the front foot.

The full-back had fumbled an opportunity to finish a lethal firstphase move but, after Ollie Thorley leapt above Phil Dollman to claim Cipriani’s pinpoint up-and-under, he juggled and held on to the scoring pass to sprint over at the corner.

Twelvetrees converted and Gloucester went in at half-time with a deserved 10-7 lead, before Simmonds levelled after the break.

But Heinz burrowed over from close range to give them a 15-10 lead and Twelvetrees added the extras as the hosts looked to pull clear.

But Matt Kvesic came back to haunt his former side as he charged through in midfield to give O’flaherty an easy run-in. Gareth Steenson levelled the scores from the tee, but Gloucester marched back downfield.

Twelvetrees was presented with a pair of penalty chances to snatch victory, but missed both of them. However, Thorley showed his rapid pace to pounce on a loose ball and break upfield, before the Chiefs’ defenders were forced eventually to narrow, allowing Morgan to score in the corner.

Twelvetrees was on target with his conversion to give his side a seven-point buffer, but it was backs to the wall as Exeter pounded the try-line, only for a dubious knockon to allow Kingsholm’s faithful to breathe a sigh of relief.

“We can’t blame the defeat on one decision, the best teams make sure big moments go their way,” said Baxter, Exeter’s director of rugby.