Chiefs 41 Gloucester 38

In terms of a first outing, it had a bit of everything, but Rob Baxter knows there is still plenty to work on for his Exeter Chiefs ahead of the new 2015/16 season.

Five tries in attack were certainly the key highlights, but shipping six in defence was somewhat of an issue for the experienced Exeter leader at the final whistle which saw the Chiefs victorious by 41 to 38.

Of course he will focus on both the good and the bad over the coming weeks, but it was the former which far exceeded the latter in terms of the overall package in this exciting West Country Challenge Cup encounter at Sandy Park.

The free-scoring Thomas Waldrom picked up from where he left off last season scoring two first half tries, alongside another from debutant James Short, then in the second half Dave Lewis and Max Bodilly got in on the act with a try piece.

Goal kickers Gareth Steenson and Will Hooley weighed in with the remainder of the home points, whilst in reply Mark Atkinson, Jacob Rowan (2), Elliot Creed, Henry Purdy and Steve McColl, who also added four conversions, claimed Gloucester’s tries on the day.

After weeks of gruelling work on the training paddock for Baxter’s side, this inaugural fixture allowed the Chiefs to not only put into practice their new array of attacking moves, but at the same time get some much-needed fitness and contact work into their lockers.

With Baxter keen to ensure the majority of his squad were given a decent chance to impress, he pre-selected two different starting XVs for the visit of the Cherry & Whites. In the opening period, summer signings Olly Woodburn, Short, Alec Hepburn, Shaun Malton and Julian Salvi were all handed first starts, whilst the second period saw introductions for fellow newcomers Will Hooley, Harry Williams and Ollie Atkins. - See more at: http://exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/chiefs-41-gloucester-38/#sthash.Snpg6Qx2....