Chiefs defeated by Sale Sharks

Exeter Chiefs 12 Sale Sharks 55

Those of a nervous disposition best look away now……as the following doesn’t make for happy reading if you follow the fortunes of Exeter Chiefs.

Rob Baxter’s side suffered a humiliating, record Aviva Premiership defeat as visiting Sale Sharks made hay in the Devon sunshine to ensure they will be among those contesting next season’s new-look European Champions Cup.

The Northerners head home with not only lucrative thoughts of tackling Europe’s elite next term, but also an impressive five-point haul as the ran in eight tries on their way to a 55-12 success at Sandy Park.

Michael Paterson, Tom Arscott, Sam Tuitupou, Dwayne Peel, Dave Seymour, Tom Brady and Andrei Ostrikov all crossed for the hungry Sharks, whilst the remainder of their points were shared out by the respective boots of Danny Cipriani and Joe Ford.

For the Chiefs, tries from Fetu’u Vainikolo and Carl Rimmer were the momentary highlights in a disappointing display that left many of the local natives wondering just what had struck their team on such an important day.

Of course the Chiefs have the chance to rectify their own European ambitions in their final two games against Harlequins (home) and Newcastle Falcons (away), but serious questions will be asked when the viewing of this video nasty takes place throughout next week.

Initially the signs looked good for the Chiefs, who were forced to make a late reshuffle to their side when skipper Dean Mumm failed a fitness test on his shoulder earlier in the day.

The absence of the Aussie meant a first Premiership start for James Phillips since September 2012 against Saracens, whilst the only other change to the side that saw off Worcester seven days earlier was the recall of Ben White to the Exeter back-row.

In the opening exchanges the home side sounded out their attacking intent when full-back Phil Dollman shot down the left flank only to be felled by a clutch of Sale defenders as he looked to close in on the visiting line.

With the threat repelled, it was Sale who stole down the other end of the field to create an opening for Brady, who crucially knocked on just yards from the line after the Sharks had set-up camp deep inside the Exeter 22.

- See more at: http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/chiefs-12-sharks-55/#sthash.CxJOsTY3....

*Pictures:Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency

Referee: D Richards

Attendance: 9,467

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Harlequins (H), Aviva Premiership, Sunday, May 4 (2pm)