Chiefs give Leinster a Halloween fright away from home

Halloween might not be until the end of the month, but defending Heineken Cup champions Leinster were given one almighty fright by visiting Exeter Chiefs at the RDS.

Strutting their stuff in European Rugby's premier competition for the first time in the club's history, the Chiefs came within a whisker of grabbing at least a share of the spoils against their star-studded Irish hosts.

With the clock having run dry in the Irish capital, Argentinian ace Ignacio Mieres had the opportunity to put his name in Exeter folklore when he was afforded a last-gasp penalty chance.

Some 48 metres from the target, the fly-half connected sweetly enough with his kick, but sadly the direction was just amiss as he effort drifted wide of the right post.

And that - in truth - was how close Rob Baxter's Chiefs' came to kicking off their European campaign in such fine style.

As the visitors dropped to the floor - exhausted both physically and mentally - the Leinster players in turn punched the air in delight, recognising they had been handed an early 'get out of jail card'.

For a full match report visit www.exeterchiefs.co.uk

WHAT THE PAPERS SAID:

Exeter Chiefs almost pulled off a major shock on their Heinekin Cup debut...Exeter, who were playing the likes of Rotherham, Doncaster and Moseley, in the Championship only three seasons ago, refused to buckle. Malcom Brown, Mail On Sunday

A draw would have been an embarrassment but no injustice. Exeter, not so much pretty in pink as immensely tough, supremely fit and wonderfully well-organised, served notice that they intend to play a full and vibrant part in a tough pool

Peter O'Reilly, Sunday Times