Dave Lewis of Exeter Chiefs goes over for a try.Photo: Phil Mingo/Pinnacle @ppauk

London Irish 15 Exeter Chiefs 22

When push came to shove, it was Exeter Chiefs who powered their way to a ninth Aviva Premiership victory of the season against lowly London Irish.

Having trailed 7-6 at the break, Rob Baxter’s side returned to winning ways in the top flight with a hard-fought win that was not only timely, but helped to keep an ever-increasing chasing pack in the play-off race at arms length.

Replacement Dave Lewis scampered over for Exeter’s only try of the game, while fly-half Gareth Steenson did the rest of the damage with an unblemished 17 points with his trusty right boot.

In reply, Irish – who outscored their rivals 2-1 on the try-sheet – claimed touchdowns from Ofisa Treviranus and Topsy Ojo, while rookie playmaker Theo Brophy Clews added a conversion and a penalty.

It was, however, Exeter’s steely approach up front – particularly during the second period – that proved telling as a succession of scrum penalties allowed the deadly Steenson to punish his rivals.

Despite suffering back-to-back losses to Saracens and Sale Sharks, Baxter resisted the temptation to make changes for this latest league encounter as fielded an unchanged starting XV for the game.

Indeed, the only changes came on the bench where international duo Tomas Francis and Michele Campagnaro were included at the expense of Harry Williams and Max Bodilly.

Irish, meanwhile, made four changes in personnel following their hefty 35-7 loss at Northampton Saints the week previous.

Three of them came up front where Tom Smallbone, Elliott Stooke and Ofisa Treviranus all returned, while behind youngster Brophy Clews was given the nod at fly-half ahead of Shane Geraghty.

In a frantic opening to the contest, one which was largely devoid of anything other than a territorial kicking battle, it was the Chiefs who momentarily threatened with a half chance, Phil Dollman and Will Chudley combining off a quickly taken penalty only for the former to spill the ball in the tackle as he tore into the Irish 22.

The hosts made the most of the let off as with their first meaningful attack, they stung Baxter’s side with the opening try of the game on 11 minutes.

Using line-out ball wide on the right, winger Topsy Ojo cut in off the flank to collect the ball on the charge, before delivering a simple offload to Treviranus, who was waiting on his left shoulder and thundered in under the posts for the score, which Brophy Clews duly converted.

Exeter looked to summon a response of sorts almost immediately, but a combination of defiant defence from the Exiles and a mounting penalty count, were thwarting their endeavours as they pushed forward in pursuit of points.

Eventually, though, they did get their afternoon up and running when Steenson landed a lengthy penalty after Irish were pulled up by referee Dean Richards for taking a man out off the ball.

Minutes later and the visitors positioned themselves deep within the Irish 22 with another golden opportunity, but as they looked destined to head for the line from a well-worked catch-and-drive move, again they were to be thwarted by another loud blast of Richards’ whistle for holding on.

Frustrated at one end, the Chiefs were then forced to scramble in defence at the other as Irish threatened to add to their tally. Smart approach work saw them attack at pace deep inside the Chiefs half and it took a desperate tackle from Chudley to deny Johnny Williams as he looked to pick a way through the Exeter rearguard.

Thankfully, the Devonians withstood the threat and then made the most of David Paice’s yellow card just before the break to cut the deficit to just a point when Steenson landed his second penalty of the game after Irish were deemed to have dropped a scrum in front of their own posts.

Half time: London Irish 7 Exeter Chiefs 6.

Photo: Dave Lewis of Exeter Chiefs goes over for a try. Phil Mingo/Pinnacle