Chiefs 59, Bath 14

Pre-season or not, running up a half century of points against your nearest and dearest will always be something to savour.

Exeter Chiefs made it two wins from two in this season’s Westcountry Challenge Cup as they swept aside rivals Bath with an eight-try blast at Sandy Park.

The home pack did much of the damage for Rob Baxter’s side, producing seven of those scores – three of which came from penalty tries – as the visitors struggled to contain the energetic and forceful Exeter eight.

Then behind, young fly-half Joe Simmonds enjoyed a magical debut display, producing a flawless kicking display that yielded a points’ haul of 19 points.

In reply, Bath offered the occasional glimmer of hope for their travelling fans, claiming converted second half tries from Luke Arscott and Brett Herron, but they were rare highlights on a tough afternoon in Devon.

Keen to build on their opening victory over Gloucester a fortnight ago, Baxter again took the opportunity to give a number of his squad some much-needed game time.

As well as handing Simmonds a first-ever senior start, hooker Jack Yeandle was back to skipper the side following summer surgery and summer signings Ollie Atkins, Julian Salvi, Shaun Malton, James Short and Olly Woodburn were all given another chance to impress during the contest.

See more at: http://exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/chiefs-59-bath-14/#sthash.6xIOoSv5.dpuf