Woodward Try Rewards Gloucester's New Spirit

We fought for full 80 says coach Ackermann

- Neale Harvey

EXETER supremo Rob Baxter had called on his Premiership champions to throw the first punches of the new campaign.

However, on a night of high drama at raucous Kingsholm, it was Gloucester who came off the canvas to deliver the knockout blow when full-back Jason Woodward’s last-gasp try sent the Shed into a state of heaving delirium.

Three minutes earlier, Chiefs centre Henry Slade had missed a tricky penalty chance to break a 21-21 deadlock and, in all probability, deliver the victory the visitors deserved based on their dominance over the final 15 minutes.

Making the most of their reprieve, though, Gloucester summoned the spirit to mount one final attack, with Henry Purdy, Matt Scott and Ed Slater leading the charge, before Billy Twelve trees spied a gap and cleverly sent in Woodward.

After losing so many tight games last season, this was a joyous role reversal for Gloucester, and Woodward, who enjoyed an impressive debut after joining from relegated Bristol was ecstatic to have played his part.

The England-qualified Kiwi said: “A lot of talk in the camp has been about us being more resilient.