Chiefs deliver early Christmas present to fans

Exeter Chiefs delivered the perfect Christmas present to their Tribe of supporters as they leapfrogged Leicester Tigers into fourth place with victory at Sandy Park.

Rob Baxter’s side notched up their fourth Aviva Premiership win on the bounce, courtesy of a dominant first half display that yielded tries for Jack Yeandle and Thomas Waldrom, along with a Penalty Try, which was also converted by skipper Gareth Steenson.

The Irishman added to his tally early in the second half with a penalty, before rounding off another impressive display with the boot by converting Ollie Devoto’s second half try just past the hour mark.

In reply, the Tigers countered with tries from replacements Harry Thacker and Jono Kitto, but it was all they could muster in this festive fixture in the Westcountry.

Buoyed by a first-ever Champions Cup win in France, the Chiefs quickly picked up from where they left off in Bordeaux in a storming start to this festive contest.

Cornishman Jack Nowell – making only his second Premiership appearance of the season – set the tone with an electrifying break straight from the kick-off, slicing through the heart of the Leicester midfield to put Exeter on the front foot.

Although Nowell’s break led to nothing, it was not long before the home side were making their pressure count. A deliberate knock-on just by halfway allowed Steenson to kick to the right corner and from the resultant line-out, the Chiefs claimed their first reward of the game.

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Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency