Beware Burns on fireworks night. In this instance it was Freddie Burns, a lively fly-half, who contributed most of the points in Gloucester's victory. Thus the old order was restored.
Last season, Exeter Chiefs shocked the Premiership as well as their visitors by beating Gloucester in their first game in the top flight. Despite much sweat and uncomplicated endeavour they could not repeat that result at Sandy Park.
They may have had more of the possession, but twice limp tackling by the home side led to tries, first from Burns, then from the altogether more intimidating Akapusi Qera.
This result was a great relief to Gloucester, who had not won away from home since last February, nine games ago. In such circumstances there are no concerns about the prettiness of the win. Which was just as well.
The first half was as devoid of finesse as a convention of cattle branders. Lumps of beef thudded into one another at regular intervals. After 10 minutes of sustained pressure from Exeter, Hoani Tui cancelled out Burns' try and the high-profile centres on the Gloucester side were rarely more than onlookers.
Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu might have had time to fire off a few tweets while the forwards of each side collided into each other; Mike Tindall occasionally had the chance to demonstrate that he can be as workmanlike and earnest for Gloucester as he can for England.
At the start of the second half Gloucester briefly overpowered Exeter, who were handicapped by losing possession too frequently from their own set-pieces. Suddenly the home side was outnumbered on the left and Olly Morgan touched down in the corner.
The Chiefs rallied. Still they had most of the ball and for long periods they camped in the Gloucester 22. But the defence was well-organised, the attacks predictable and Exeter's only reward was an Ignacio Mieres penalty. Burns responded in kind and Gloucester were able to sit comfortably enough on their 10-point cushion until the last play of the match, when Matt Jess's try after an interception gave the home side a much-appreciated point.
