Glaws show the qualities they'll need in 2013

Exeter and their fans are moaning about refereeing decisions - what team doesn't after losing to six penalties? - but what counts is the scoreline, which shows that Gloucester shaded a tight, tense game 18-16 at a packed Kingsholm to get the festive season off to a winning, if at times stuttering, start.

But it’s not going to get any easier – next weekend Glaws go to Welford Road in a Premiership third v fourth clash that will have an even greater influence on the play-offs.

The conditions weren’t ideal, but the atmosphere was something to savour as Freddie Burns kicked all the Glaws points, some of them penalties the Chiefs claim should have gone their way. The visitors got the game’s only try via hooker Simon Alcott after a lengthy siege of the home line, their kicker Gareth Steenson not quite able to match Burns's haul.

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Glaws assistant coach Carl Hogg told the BBC: "I thought the resilience and spirit we showed throughout, especially the last 20 minutes, was fantastic and that's been a characteristic of the team all season.

“The character of the side was outstanding, and, with the support of the Shed behind us, we showed huge endeavour to beat Exeter.

"There was a critical point where we could have folded and could have felt sorry for ourselves but the players we're magnificent.

"Freddie Burns from the start of the season has mixed his game up and has a real balance to the game. He understands where the momentum of the game is and I thought he kicked the corners very well.

“We knew we had to work harder and battle harder than Exeter, otherwise we would lose, and the boys showed their resolve, their resilience and their commitment in spades.”

They are qualities which have often been missing in recent seasons, but they will be needed just as much next weekend and Glaws aim to ends the year on a high.