Exeter Chiefs keep their top four hopes alive with a convincing 38-17 victory over Gloucester at Kingsholm. 

A brace from Jacques Vermeulen, alongside other scores from Dan John, Olly Woodburn and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso helped steer Exeter to a bonus-point win, taking them just four points off the play-off spots.

The Chiefs got off to a bright start, with Henry Slade knocking over a penalty after just six minutes; but things went up a gear with two back-to-back tries.

The first came through Jacques Vermeulen, who crossed the whitewash after a trademark penalty move from close range. The second came shortly after, as Dan John reaped the rewards of a nice strike move from a scrum.

Gloucester needed a response if they stood any chance of a comeback. A string of penalties from the Chiefs allowed the Cherry and Whites to pile the pressure on, however it took a neat finish from Jonny May to eventually break through the stubborn defence.

Chiefs hit back quickly though, as they looked to score their third try of the game. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso came agonisingly close to scoring, however the ball was swatted out of his hand. They weren’t held out for long though, as Olly Woodburn dotted down after a stellar Henry Slade break.

With the clock running down, Gloucester pulled one back through Jack Clement after he powered through a gaping hole in the Exeter defence.

Exeter piled on the pressure after the restart, and it eventually led to the all-important bonus-point try. A well-measured pass from Harvey Skinner unlocked the Gloucester defence, which allowed Feyi-Waboso to walk in unopposed.

Gloucester hit back instantly though. A clever charge down allowed Arthur Clark to pounce on the ball and score. They nearly added another try just three minutes later after a fantastic offloading between Chris Harris and Stephen Varney; but the scrum-half was stopped just short of the line and the chance went begging.

Exeter quickly made them rue this missed chance, as Jacques Vermeulen burrowed over from close range for his second of the match.

The Chiefs would create plenty more chances, however they couldn’t quite deliver the killer blow.

Gloucester wouldn’t go down without a fight though, but crucial errors halted their attack and Exeter held onto a comfortable win.

Gloucester 17-38 Exeter Chiefs

Gloucester: 17

Tries: May, Clement

Conversions: Atkinson (1/3)

Exeter Chiefs: 38

Tries: Vermeulen (2), John, Woodburn, Feyi-Waboso

Conversions: Slade (5/5)

Penalties: Slade