Nelson in fine form as Exeter race home

By ARCHIE STARKEY

Gloucester-H … 15pts

Tries: Williams-Morris 3, Dale 33

Conversion: Sing 34

Penalty: Sing 40

Exeter Chiefs .. 21pts

Tries: Nelson 9, 55; Nielson 15

Conversions: McGoverne 9, 15, 55

EXETER battled to a hard-earned victory over Gloucester Hartpury to maintain their unbeaten start to the PWR season.

With both sides coming into the contest with two victories, it was a fiercely fought battle at the summit of the table and Exeter’s double try-scorer Mikiela Nelson believed the Chiefs have found their flow.

She said: “When we play with our structure and with that composure, we play great rugby. If we play with that confidence and within ourselves, we’re capable of great results.”

Gloucester Hartpury flew out of the blocks, asserting themselves with relentless phases on their opposition’s line.The ball was shifted out to Carys Williams-Morris on her maiden PWR start, who touched down for Gloucester.

After a break from Flo Long to move her side into the host’s 22, the Chiefs did not relent with the attack finished by Canadian Nelson on her first PWR start.

The visitors again found themselves deep in Gloucester Hartpury territory and doubled their scoring with Clara Nielson adding their second from the same position.

Pressure from the away side continued to mount as Gloucester’s Gwen Crabb was sin binned for collapsing a promising maul, but the Chiefs failed to make use of the hosts being a player down.

The Chiefs’ ill-discipline landed Gloucester a lineout in their opponent’s half where they executed a slick move with Amy Dale receiving the ball straight back from her throw and carried deep into Exeter territory.

After a bombardment of the Chiefs line, the ball was spread from left to right with Dale finishing what she started and scoring in the corner.

Gloucester was awarded another penalty on the stroke of halftime and Emma King slotted it to move them one point ahead at the break.

Early in the second half, half-time substitute Sisilia Tuipulotu was binned for collapsing an Exeter maul.

Following phase work from the penalty, Nelson’s crashed over the line for the second time which was yet again converted by Liv McGoverne.

A good territorial kick by Millie Hyett combined with a lineout steal and maul looked to be the host’s opportunity to puncture through their opponents but relentless defence was enough to force a Gloucester error and a huge win on the road for the jubilant Exeter Chiefs.

Gloucester coach Sean Lynn said: “We had opportunities where we could have won it but we squandered key moments where we had to come away with points.”