Chiefs scrape a victory against Sale

Sale Sharks 16 Exeter Chiefs 18

Dogged, disciplined and delirious – just three words you could easily use to sum up the latest Aviva Premiership victory for in-form Exeter Chiefs.

Tasked with overcoming Sale Sharks on their own turf in Salford, Rob Baxter’s side produced arguably their grittiest display of the campaign to earn a valuable four points on the road.

Unlike recent weeks where the Devon club have been happy to showcase their attacking prowess, this time they showed another side to their game as they dug deep into their defensive resolve. Fly-half Gareth Steenson was ultimately the match winner with an unblemished six from six with the boot, but even he would say it was those around him that paved the way to this victory.

To a man, the Chiefs rose to the challenge to repel a lively Sharks line-up keen to build on last season’s first-ever victory over Exeter.

Relentless in everything they did, the Chiefs were clearly focused to ensure there would be no repeat performance this time round.

After such a convincing display last time out against lowly Worcester Warriors, it came as little surprise that Baxter refused to tinker too much with his winning formula.

Indeed, the only change made to the starting XV was an enforced one as winger Fetu’u Vainikolo was missing due to international commitments with Tonga, so returning to the fold was Welsh flyer Tom James.

Sale, on the other hand, were looking for a quick return to winning ways after they were handed a 24-3 reverse at Harlequins – and Sharks Director of Rugby Steve Diamond made three changes, all of them up front, as Vadim Cobilas, Kirill Kulemin and Michael Paterson were given the nod from the outset.

The victory – Exeter’s fifth in seven Premiership starts this season – means they will head into the latest league break nicely positioned in the top four and with the chance to really attack the upcoming LV= Cup.

Sharks: R Miller; T Arscott, J Leota, S Tuitupou, M Cueto; D Cipriani, D Peel (W Cliff 64); E Lewis-Roberts (R Harrison 59), T Taylor (M Jones 58), V Cobilas (H Thomas 58); K Kulemin (D Seymour 58), A Ostrikov (J Mills 59); M Paterson, D Braid (capt, A Forsyth 66), M Easter (H Thomas 25-30, M Jones 42-44). Replacements: J Ford.
Try - Cueto; Conversion – Cipriani; Penalties – Cipriani (3)
Yellow Cards: Cobilas, Taylor, Kullemin

Chiefs: P Dollman (H Slade 68); M Jess, J Shoemark, S Hill (L Arscott 58), T James; G Steenson, D Lewis (H Thomas 68); B Sturgess (B Moon 75), J Yeandle (C Whitehead 69), H Tui (A Brown 62); D Mumm (capt), D Welch (D Armand 75); T Johnson, B White (K Horstmann 75), D Ewers.
Penalties - Steenson (6)
Referee: W Barnes
Attendance: 6,153

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Harlequins (H), LV= Cup, Saturday, November 9 (3pm)

- See more at: http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/sharks-16-chiefs-18/#sthash.GdIwsibV....

Picture: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle