Harlequins 29 Chiefs 15

It may have been Bonfire Night, but Exeter Chiefs hopes of kicking off this season’s Anglo-Welsh Cup campaign with a bang failed to materialise as Harlequins provided the sparkle in the nation’s capital.

The home side proved too strong for the visiting Chiefs, running in three tries through Aaron Morris, Charlie Walker and Luc Jones, while Nick Evans slotted 14 points with his tried and trusted right boot.

Exeter had their moments as they claimed tries through James Short and Elvis Taione, plus five points from young fly-half Joe Simmonds, but they were the only real bright spots on a difficult night for Devon’s finest.

Injuries to Will Hooley and Phil Dollman (pictured) only added to the visiting woes, the former having been sent to hospital for a check-up following a bone-crunching hit early in the match from Mat Luamanu.

With Premiership and European matters put to one side, the return of the Anglo-Welsh Cup meant the visitors were able to rotate their options, both on and off the field.  Skills coach Pellow headed up a Chiefs side which showed 14 changes to that which started against Bath the week previous.

The sole survivor was Short, but he was joined in the starting XV by the returning Dollman and Dave Ewers, the latter of whom was making his first appearance of the season after picking up a serious knee injury during the pre-season win over Ulster.

After impressive cameo appearances off the bench in recent weeks, young scrum-half Jack Maunder was handed his first senior start as was Shaun Malton, who was joined in the front-row by experienced props Ben Moon and Greg Holmes.

For the full report go to http://exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/harlequins-29-chiefs-15/