Gloucester storm Sandy Park with seven tries to sink Exeter

Gloucester stunned Exeter Chiefs 45-24 at Sandy Park on 26 September to open the new Prem season in style, according to BBC Sport.

The visitors led 26-12 at half-time and never let go. Seven tries did the damage. That is some statement away from home.

New captain Dewi Lake led from the front with two tries. The Wales skipper joined Gloucester in the summer and wasted no time making his mark.

Winger Ben Loader matched him with two tries of his own. Seb Atkinson, Will Joseph and Junior Denny added the others, with Denny marking his Gloucester debut with a score.

A try — five points for touching the ball down over the line — is rugby union's main way to score. Gloucester kept finding the line from close range and out wide. Charlie Atkinson kicked four conversions, the two-point kicks at goal that follow a try, with Barton adding one more.

Exeter hit back with four tries of their own. Josh Iosefa-Scott, Ethan Roots, Stephen Varney and Louie Gulley all crossed. Henry Slade kicked two conversions.

Referee Matthew Carley kept a firm grip on a fast, physical contest. Gloucester prop F. Thomas was sent to the sin-bin — a 10-minute yellow-card suspension — in the 71st minute, but the result was already safe.

The context makes it bigger. Gloucester finished eighth last season with only one away win. Exeter ended last season as Prem runners-up after losing to Northampton Saints in the final in June.

What makes this stand out is the manner of it. Sandy Park is one of the toughest away trips in England. Gloucester did not sneak it. They outscored a side that was contesting the title three months ago by seven tries to four.