Cup woe for battling Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs 12 Leicester Tigers 16

In the week of the world famous Cheltenham Festival, Exeter Chiefs came a cropper in the final furlong as Leicester Tigers took the honours in this season’s Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Despite a spirited second half showing from Ricky Pellow’s side, they left themselves too much to do against English rugby’s most decorated club.

The Tigers lifted the Anglo-Welsh prize for the third time thanks to a first half try from winger Tom Brady and the boot of prized fly-half Freddie Burns.

The Chiefs countered with a first half try from winger James Short and another in the dying embers from No.8 Sam Simmonds, but it was not to be as they departed the Twickenham Stoop in disappointment, rather than triumph.

Running out for their third successive Anglo-Welsh Cup final, the Chiefs arrived in the capital with a largely unchanged side from that which had seen off Harlequins a week previous.

Up front, Carl Rimmer, Greg Holmes and Dave Ewers were all added to the mix, while behind there were starts for Jack Maunder and Short, who days earlier had been crowned the Premiership’s Player of the Month for February.

The Tigers, themselves no strangers to the big occasion, paraded a powerful line-up for the season’s first major showpiece event which included key stars such as Peter Betham, Ellis Genge, Graham Kitchener, Lachie McCaffrey and the deadly boot of Burns.

For the full match report, go to: http://exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/chiefs-12-tigers-16/

Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency