Aviva Premiership Under 18 League Finals Day. Game 1 of 3. Exeter vs Gloucester

Gloucester Vs Exeter

1pm kick-off – 5^th/6^th play off

Our first match from Allianz Park comes as the 5^th and 6^th place play off. The way the Under 18 league works is a two conference system, split by north and south. Our top three teams play against the team in the other conference as a play off, leaving the league as competitive as possible, right to the end. As such, Exeter will play Gloucester, Leicester against Bath and the champions, Northampton, will play Saracens in a repeat of last year’s Premiership final. One flaw for the timings is the Under 18’s international season plays in parallel, so some of the international stars, like Harry Mallinder, are away, giving some of the understudies a chance to show off under the spotlight.

The Northern conference:

1. Northampton Saints
2. Leicester Tigers
3. Gloucester
4. Newcastle Falcons
5. Worcester Warriors
6. Sale Sharks
7. Yorkshire Carnigie

The Southern conference:

1. Saracens
2. Bath
3. Exeter
4. Wasps
5. London Irish
6. Harlequins
7. Bristol

As a special treat for you all, I have attached a link to a post-match interview on all three of these match reports, teamed with the pictures I’ve taken as the day went on. Each match has the winning team’s coach giving his reaction to the game. I also like to write my match to help you visualise the match, so I’ve written it as play went on.

Our first game is Gloucester vs Exeter, and having just watched the toss, Exeter will kick off towards the southern end of Allianz Park. The pitch conditions are… well they’re identical for all three matches with the 4G pitch ready for action and not showing any signs of the wear and tear you’d expect after a colossal Premiership clash. The weather may play a part as the day goes on, but for now, the sun is hiding behind a cloud and light rain is intermittently falling.

But for the last round of games, these two teams would have been playing in the next match for the 3^rd and 4^th place, but such is the way with competitive rugby, it all changes in the blink of an eye.

A fairly empty Allianz Park on a Monday lunchtime kick off, but we’re looking forward to watching what these two teams can do. These first 70 minutes will set the tone.

KO goes loose, covered by Lloyd-Jones, cleared by Dee. LO to Exeter on the half way line.

Knock On by Exeter gives the first scrum to Gloucester. Serville loses his footing, scrum reset.

A few early handling errors from Gloucester, Exeter are making them pay. No advantage for a knock on goes back to an Exeter scrum. A strong Exeter shove and Matthews powers through, but after some phases, Exeter knock on, for another Gloucester scrum. Penalty for Exeter at scrum time as Serville slips his bind to the arm, and pulls his opposite man down. McFarlane lines up the shot and the dink of the outside post signifies the miss.

Matthews showing some real pace and footwork, as does Tyler, as they combine to gain 50 yards. Sadly a high pass to Janes goes forward just outside the Gloucester 22. Serville is struggling to support his own weight, and the scrum is turned over. As Exeter press, Gloucester come offside, so advantage played until the ball is dropped. Exeter opt for the LO this time, 8m out.

Exeter look to be pressing their advantage, but after a long string of phases, Gloucester make them nervous, eventually forcing a penalty. Good defence from the Cherry and Whites. 

Gloucester win the LO through Reynolds, who runs through a gap. Exeter intercept the pass but are offside, so penalty to Gloucester and a first shot at goal. Like his opposite man, the shot is missed by Dee.

Exeter are showing some real pace early on, and slick handling, plus a knock on by Gloucester push them up field. Another scrum though as Exeter knock on near Gloucester’s 10metre line. Rain is still falling on the teams, as a Gloucester free kick pushes them forward. Even further when Exeter are not 10.

Gloucester push on, but an injury to Maunder stops play. Fox comes on in his place as a blood sub.

Gloucester LO and the Cherry and Whites explode along the right wing (From where I’m sitting) Thornley and Tonks combining nicely, but a knock on in the last pass goes loose for a Chiefs scrum. A poor pass from Fox forces McFarlane to make a right footed punt into touch to clear his lines. The LO is not straight, so Chiefs opt to scrum. After Exeter successfully clear the lines, Gloucester attack  before a charged kick is forced to touch. Chiefs attack from the lineout and push on towards the Gloucester try line.

Try! Matthews scores the opening points, brushing off three tacklers in the process. Great show of power, but little favours for Fox, who misses his conversion.

Loose hands and a slippery ball are doing no favours for the backs today. Exeter are hording the possession but keep dropping it, allowing Gloucester chances to counter. Unfortunately for Gloucester, the issues goes both ways and a dominant Exeter scrum is not helping them.

Free kick given to the Cherries and they advance, pushing the Chiefs to defensive positions. Unfortunately, the defenders stray offside and Gloucester opt to kick at goal. Dee has a short run up, but neatly punts it over the line.

After the restart, Gloucester show some slick hands, including a “between the legs” pass by Creed. Thorley and Barbarinsa push on, gaining 50m, but the pass between Barbarinsa and his support goes forward, giving the ball back to the Chiefs.

The change for Exeter is looking more permanent by the minute. Only 15 minutes are allowed to sort a blood sub, and he’s been on for a while.

Barbarinsa shows some slippery movements, but gets caught on the Exeter 22, knocking on for his troubles. Appearing to be in some pain, he stays down as Exeter attempt to attack the reduced team. A high pass stops a potential over lap and the ball gets worked into touch. The lineout is taken by Chiefs and after some speculative play, Matthews knocks on under the high ball, ending the first half. 5-3, Exeter lead.

Second half, Gloucester seem to have been given a good pep talk, as they press on to a 5m lineout. Exeter clear their lines though, and a race is on. Gloucester win it and attempt to push back up field. Few changes for Exeter are noted. Papp and Putt are on the field, Bayet and McFarlane are absent. Gloucester are unchanged. A kick to touch goes straight out for Exeter, so Gloucester take the driving maul at the lineout. It’s held up however, so Exeter take the scrum, a real battle for the forwards today.

Exeter fail to release, and Dee lines up his kick, duly slotting it between the posts.  5-6 to the Cherry and Whites. Brown comes on for Matthews, possibly for a PSCA, he looks a little woozy.

Off the back of a scrum, Creed forces his way through a gap, taking two Chiefs with him. Front rows combine well, with Mullis and Serville breaking down the mid field. Barbarinsa looks to be away at an intercept, but advantage is being played for Gloucester. Walker is subbed on for Lloyd-Jones.

Gloucester’s scrum looks to be stronger, and they advance out wide through the backs. A forward pass ends the play, just as they looked to score. Sub – Churcher on for Bassett. We pause as Exeter’s Chapman comes on for the injured Tyler, and slots in on the right wing.

A charge down from Gloucester has pushed the Chiefs into a lineout deep in their 22. A second clearing kick gets touched in flight, and the Chiefs take another lineout. Safe subs on for Reynolds.

Gloucester seem to have fixed their first half scrum woes, but not their handling skills, as a lovely passage of play is stopped by yet another knock on. Chiefs clear their lines, and Gloucester kick directly into touch. Lineout won by Chiefs, and they press on, until a Gloucester falls off his feet at the ruck.

Flowing rugby is few and far between today, but both Chiefs and Gloucester string phases together until Gloucester infringe at a ruck, allowing a kick at goal for Putt. 8-6 to the Chiefs in an entertainingly tight game.  

Spoke too soon about the scrum issues, as Gloucester slip on the pitch. Chiefs eventually win the scrum, and Sixton presses for the line, only to be stopped by a pair of Gloucester defenders who are offside. Putt happily kicks the points, widening the gap between the two sides. Exeter 11, Gloucester 6.

Shortly after the restart, Gloucester are penalised for handling in the ruck. From just inside their half, Exeter’s captain confidently points at the posts. No pressure for young Putt, though it drops short of the posts, and the counterattack is on. Gloucester’s forwards and backs working well together to advance, but another handling error gives the ball back to the Chiefs, before it’s cleared away. The lineout throw from Gloucester is not straight, so the Chiefs take the scrum. Old style scrummaging, as it turns out as it’s hooked back, and the Chiefs attack again.

Safe takes the ball off the back of the scrum, and rushes up field, before a chip ahead shows his all-round skills.

A series of phases passes the ball back and forth, but a chip by Gloucester kicks to touch, and our referee blows for full time, and Exeter celebrate their win over the Cherry and Whites 11-6. The game hasn’t been one for the ages, but the cold and wet weather will have ensured that flowing play would have been difficult. Congratulations however to Exeter Chiefs, our Under 18 5^th place winners.

Listen to the reaction of Exeter's forwards coach, Sam Walton here!

Now, one final thought.

The Premiership does not give out a man of the match award, or at least one that is announced to the public. So for each of these games, I have selected at least one player from each game to be one to watch in the future.

Ones to watch:

Terrance Barbarinsa - His out and out pace, small body and nimble footwork remind me of Christian Wade. As young as he is, he’ll be a big part of Gloucester’s game play if he can break through the ranks.

Declan Matthews -  His barrelling runs and strengths put him in a similar league as Billy Vunipola and Samu Manoa. Expect big things from this young man.