Exeter Chiefs See Premiership Rugby Cup Defence End
Exeter Chiefs were unable to overturn a half-time deficit as the Vertu Motors-backed side slipped out of the Premiership Rugby Cup at the semi-final stage.
The Chiefs had secured the title for a third time last season following a dramatic win in extra time against London Irish, and made the trip to Kingsholm looking to see off a Gloucester side that had struggled for results in the league so far this season.
Lewis Ludlow gave the home side the lead six minutes in when he scored the opening try, and Max Llewellyn then added to the lead five minutes later with a second try that was converted by George Barton,
When Josh Hathaway then crossed for a third try just after the half-hour mark it give Gloucester a 17-0 lead at the break, with Exeter forced to try and fight back in the second half.
On the hour, the away side finally managed to get on the score sheet after a push from Jacques Vermeulensaw him cross the line, with Harvey Skinner adding the extras with the conversion.
Ross Vintcent then managed to grab a second try with a close range finish and Skinner again kicked the conversion to bring the gap between the two sides down to just three points going into the final ten minutes.
Gloucester held on however to secure a place in the final against Leicester Tigers, with the Chiefs switching focus back onto the league, which resumes next month against Newcastle following the end of the Six Nations.