Premiership Rugby Cup: Exeter Chiefs overcome Gloucester, Leicester Tigers win and Newcastle Falcons clinch nail-biter

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Exeter Chiefs won their third successive game in the Premiership Rugby Cup group stage as Rob Baxter's side overcame Gloucester 31-7 to maintain their 100% record. Ben Hammersley and Josh Hodge were among the try scorers in a dominant performance. Elsewhere, Leicester Tigers claimed their first victory with a win over Nottingham, while Newcastle Falcons edged Sale Sharks by a point in a thriller.

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Exeter Chiefs beat Gloucester 31-7 in the Premiership Rugby Cup on Friday to stay perfect in Pool E.

Ben Hammersley and Josh Hodge showed individual brilliance and were among the try scorers at Kingsholm Stadium as Rob Baxter's side backed up dominant wins against Hartpury and Cornish Giants with another impressive victory.

The away side stormed to a 30-0 lead by half-time, as Rusi Tuima gave the visitors the advantage with the game's opening try after four minutes.

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Hammersley sliced through the opposition defence for Exeter's second, before Will Rigg added to Exeter's scoreline following a brilliant try-scoring run.

He showcased his excellent pace and agility to wriggle between three Gloucester players before crossing the line, but his effort was outdone by a world-class moment from Hodge to put Baxter's side in cruise control.

The 24-year-old ran from deep inside his own half, slaloming past a cluster of red shirts before playing a clever one-two on the left wing, quickly retrieving the ball and bundling over the line.

Stu Townsend added more gloss to the scoreline before the break as the visitors strengthened their grip on a route out of the group stages.

Just after the hour mark, Gloucester finally got themselves on the board when Val Rapava-Ruskin snuck under the bar following a quick tap-and-go, but it would only go down as a consolation as Exeter held on for their third successive win.

Leicester brush past Nottingham, Newcastle edge Sale

Elsewhere, there were nine different try scorers for Leicester Tigers as they secured a dominant victory over Nottingham.

Matt Rogerson, Archie Vanes, Ollie Allan, Solomone Kata, Izaia Perese, James Whitcombe, Jack Kinder, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Emeka Ilione all scored in a 70-29 win.

Harry Clayton made three tries for Nottingham as Michael Green and Harry Graham added one each, but Leicester were too strong as the Gallagher Premiership outfit secured their first win of the Cup campaign group stages.

Elsewhere, Newcastle Falcons edged Sale Sharks in a nail-biter at Kingston Park Stadium as Steve Diamond's side sealed a 28-27 win.

Max Pepper’s late try and Brett Connon’s conversion clinched a thrilling late win for Newcastle over their Premiership rivals.

Jamie Blamire, Tom Gordon and Ben Stevenson were also on target for the hosts, who leapfrogged Sale to the top of Pool A.

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