Chiefs in pole position of Heineken Cup group despite defeat by Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors 20 Exeter Chiefs 16
Mark Stevens reporting from Scotstoun Stadium
In what is sure to be a competitive Pool Two of this season’s Heineken Cup, the importance of gaining reward – home and away – was illustrated in all its glory this weekend.
Toulon were toppled in the Welsh capital by Cardiff Blues on Saturday; while north of the border Exeter Chiefs – conquerors of the Welsh region seven days earlier – were undone by Glasgow Warriors.
With one win apiece, there is little to choose between these quartet of clubs after just two rounds of Europe’s Premier Cup competition.
What is significant, however, is Exeter are in pole position of the group – this despite surrendering two tries to the Scotsmen in their 20-16 loss – and Dave Ewers’ late try ensured they headed home to the Westcountry with a crucial losing bonus point.
The Chiefs are in a healthy position and head coach Rob Baxter knows that with future tests against all three to come – two of which will be at Sandy Park – the quest for glory remains firmly in the hands of his players.
After such an impressive victory over a star-studded Cardiff Blues side, Baxter still felt the need to tinker with his winning formula. In the pack, Ben Moon came in for his first start of the season in place of Brett Sturgess, while behind Sam Hill’s recall to duty saw him partner Jason Shoemark in the midfield with Ian Whitten switching to the wing in place of Tongan international Fetu’u Vainikolo.
Glasgow, meanwhile, also made changes with Argentine international Gabriel Ascarate making his home debut in the centre, whilst Niko Matawalu switch from wing to scrum-half meant a start for Canadian flyer DTH van der Merwe. Up front, Ed Kalman came into the front-row, whilst a re-jigged back-row meant there were starts for both Robert Harley and former Cornish Pirates flanker Tyrone Holmes.
In the second meeting of the two clubs this season – the Warriors having edged a pre-season friendly 29-26 at Sandy Park in August – it was the Chiefs who got off to a dream start as fly-half Gareth Steenson slotted them in front inside two minutes with a penalty after home skipper Al Kellock had been penalised for illegally taking out Dave Lewis at a ruck deep inside his own 22.
Exeter’s lead, however, proved short-lived as within minutes the Scotsmen restored parity when they landed a kick of their own as Jackson – one of 14 Scottish internationals in the Warriors match-day squad – plundered a 30-metre effort after the Chiefs were adjudged to have strayed offside in midfield.
Click here for the full match report.
With just a point covering all four sides in Pool 2, the tournament now takes a break until December when the Chiefs will prepare themselves for a ‘Christmas Cracker’ against defending champions Toulon.
Warriors: S Maitland; T Seymour, B McGuigan, G Ascarate (D Weir 57), DTH van der Merwe; R Jackson, N Matawalu; R Grant, P MacArthur (D Hall 57), E Kalman (M Low 29); T Swinson (J Gray 57), A Kellock (capt); R Harley, T Holmes (R Vernon 76), J Strauss. Replacements: J Yanuyanutawa, C Cusiter, M Bennett.
Tries – Swinson, Holmes; Conversions – Jackson (2); Penalties – Jackson (2)
Chiefs: P Dollman; I Whitten (H Slade 23), J Shoemark, S Hill, M Jess; G Steenson (F Vainikolo 73), D Lewis (H Thomas 55); B Moon (B Sturgess 55), C Whitehead (J Yeandle 55), H Tui (A Brown 66); D Mumm (capt), D Welch; T Johnson (K Horstmann 55), B White (D Armand 67), D Ewers.
Try – Ewers; Conversion – Slade; Penalties – Steenson (3)
Yellow Card: Steenson
Referee: R Poite (France)
Attendance: 6,047
UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Worcester Warriors (H), Aviva Premiership, Saturday, October 26 (3pm)
Click here to purchase tickets.
