Bristol 17 Chiefs 41

A lot has happened in the six years since these two clubs last met in league battle.

Exeter Chiefs have emerged as a force not only within the English game, but also that of Europe, whilst Bristol have had to slug it out in the Championship until they rejoined the top flight at the end of last season.

The significant strides made by the men from Devon in that time, however, were there for all to see in this maiden Aviva Premiership tussle between the Westcountry rivals.

Try doubles from Olly Woodburn and Thomas Waldrom, plus a late score for Sam Hill, ensured a second successive maximum haul for Rob Baxter’s side, whose remaining points came from the boot of fly-half Gareth Steenson.

Bristol, on the other hand, are still coming to terms with how the Premiership has moved on since their last foray into these waters – and they will need to improve significantly if they are to extend their stay beyond next May.

To their credit, Andy Robinson’s side showed they are up for the fight – scoring tries through Jordan Williams Ross McMillan and Max Crumpton – but it was never enough to dent the Chiefs.

Locking horns competitively for the first time since that magical night in May 2010, it was a much changed Chiefs line-up that took to the field at Bristol’s impressive new home at Ashton Gate.

Only Steenson (pictured)  – whose 24-point haul that night helped kick the Chiefs into the top flight for the first time – remained in the Chiefs starting XV, while former Exeter player James Phillips was the only other survivor, starting in the second row for the hosts.

And it was not long before Steenson was again inflicting more woe on their newly-promoted hosts, converting Woodburn’s opening try of the night that arrived on just two minutes.

Read the full match report here http://exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/bristol-17-chiefs-41/