Exeter Chiefs 7 Bordeaux Begles 13

Although not quite floored, Exeter Chiefs were dealt another hefty blow as Bordeaux Begles condemned them to a third successive loss in this season’s European Champions Cup at Sandy Park.

Like a prized fighter, the visiting Frenchmen withstood a heavy first half battering from Rob Baxter’s side before countering to deadly effect in the second period.

Jack Maunder’s maiden Exeter try, converted by skipper Gareth Steenson, helped to give the Chiefs a 7-3 lead at the break.

However, the Aviva Premiership side could not add to their tally after the break as Baptiste Serin followed up his first half penalty by claiming Bordeaux’s only try on the day.

His converted effort, plus a late penalty from replacement Lionel Beauxis, sealed a vital victory for the visitors, who will be hoping to repeat the feat when the two sides meet again this coming weekend at the Stade Chaban Delmas.

Fresh from three successive Premiership victories, the Chiefs returned to European action knowing nothing less than a maximum haul would do to keep their Champions Cup aspirations alive for another week at least.

Facing familiar foes in Bordeaux – the two sides met twice last season in the same competition with honours even – Baxter named a powerful starting XV for the visit of the French outfit.

Up front, Ben Moon, Tomas Francis, Jonny Hill, Dave Ewers and Dave Dennis were all recalled, whilst behind highly-rated young guns Jack Maunder, Henry Slade and Jack Nowell were also included in front of watching England head coach Eddie Jones.

Bordeaux, meanwhile, were looking to build on a promising start to their European campaign, one which had seen them push French counterparts Clermont Auvergne hard in the last round, having earlier seen off Ulster at home in the opening fixture of Pool 5.

In a tight opening to the contest, one in which both sets of forwards looked to wrestle the early dominance, it was the Chiefs who fashioned the first real attacking opportunity.

Aussie international Lachie Turner caused the initial havoc, returning a Serin kick with a sensational run that saw him cut a swathe through the heart of the Bordeaux midfield to get to within a few metres of the visiting line. As the cavalry arrived to assist Turner, the Exeter pack took on the charge, laying siege on the Bordeaux line with a succession of pick-and-go moves. But just as it looked as though the hosts were poised to strike, they were turned over on the line and the chance was lost.

At the other end, more good turnover work from the Frenchmen saw centre Romain Lonca strip the Chiefs off possession on halfway, he chipped over the advancing Steenson, but James Short was able to race across and cover the danger with relative ease.

With the scoreboard untouched during an industrious first quarter, it was the Chiefs who continued to look the more threatening. Turner again went close when he raced after a Slade chip in behind, but as he looked set to lap up the bouncing ball, the full-back knocked on and Bordeaux were again spared at the crucial moment.

Undeterred, the Chiefs continued to press forward in pursuit of points and just past the half-hour mark they were rewarded with the game’s opening try. Solid approach work from the forwards got them on the front foot, after which the backs took charge creating time and space for the impressive Devoto, who shook off two defenders before slipping a lovely pass back inside for Maunder to score.

It was a magical moment for the young scrum-half, son of former Exeter legend Andy Maunder, as he punched the air in delight to celebrate his maiden try in Exeter colours. Steenson converted to ensure a seven-point reward for the Chiefs.

The score was no more than Baxter’s side deserved, but they surrendered part of that advantage within minutes when Welsh international Francis was penalised for a high tackle in midfield, allowing French international Serin the chance to slot a simple penalty and cut the lead to just four points.

HALF TIME EXETER CHIEFS 7 BORDEAUX BEGLES 3