Chiefs on top form against London Wasps

London Wasps 24 - Exeter Chiefs 37

On the day when 35,000 runners took to the streets of London for the annual marathon, Exeter Chiefs showed little sign of fatigue as they produced arguably their best display of the season to keep alive their hopes of Heineken Cup rugby again next season.

While hosts London Wasps withered in the heat of a pulsating battle, Rob Baxter’s men duly rose to the occasion claiming maximum reward from an oustanding display at Adams Park.
Tries from Jack Yeandle, Jack Nowell, Damian Welch and Haydn Thomas, together with 17 points from the boot of Gareth Steenson, not only ensured Exeter of their 11th top flight win this season, but has set up a mouth-watering final day encounter against Gloucester at Sandy Park.

The Chiefs will head into that game knowing victory will definitely ensure them a place in Europe’s top Cup competition for a second time, although should Bath lose away to Saracens that statistic in itself will become irrelevant and the men from Devon will progress.

Whatever the case, Baxter’s troops will head into that tussle brimming with confidence having disposed of Wasps in fine fashion.

Although the home side countered with tries for Christian Wade, Hugo Southwell and Tom Varndell, they were never really able to handle the all-round game of the Chiefs, who have now won their five of their last six Premiership fixtures.

Having seen Bath claim maximum reward 24 hours earlier in their final home game of the season against Leicester Tigers, both sides took to the field knowing victory was a must in their quest to claim the final Heineken Cup place for next season.

Wasps, winless in their previous six encounters, welcomed back a plethora of international names into their starting ranks from that which had lost at Leicester the previous week.
Among them was Welsh international Jones, who was afforded the first chance of the game on two minutes when he was given a straight-forward penalty in front of the Exeter posts. Surprisingly, though, the normally deadly goalkicker fired his shot from the edge of the 22 wide of the right post.

Although the home side failed with their first chance, they made no mistake with their second when talented full-back Daly landed a long-range kick after Baxter’s side were penalised for holding in on the tackle.

It was certainly a lively opening from Wasps, but they were soon stung by a ferocious Exeter response. 

Tommy Bell’s conversion with the last kick of the game was scant consolation for Wasps, whose defeat means they are unable to dine at Europe’s top table again next season.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, know victory at home to Gloucester in a fortnight’s time will ensure Heineken Cup action returns to Sandy Park again next term.

Wasps: E Daly; T Varndell, A Masi (H Southwell 44), C Bell (capt), C Wade; S Jones (T Bell 61), J Simpson (C Davies 65); Z Taulafo (S McIntyre 55). T Rhys Thomas (T Lindsay 64), P Swainston (P Taylor 43); T Palmer (M Wentzel 64), J Launchbury; A Johnson, J Haskell (S Jones 61, Haskell 67, Jones 70, Haskell 75), B Vunipola.
Try - Wade, Southwell, Varndell; Conversions – Jones (2), Bell; Penalty – Daly
Chiefs: L Arscott (H Slade 61-64, 79); J Nowell, P Dollman, J Shoemark (I Whitten 61), M Jess; G Steenson, H Thomas (W Chudley 64); B Sturgess (C Rimmer 75), J Yeandle (C Whitehead 64), H Tui (C Mitchell 64); D Mumm, D Welch; B White (D Ewers 58), J Scaysbrook (A Muldowney 75), R Baxter (capt).
Try - Yeandle, Nowell, Welch, Thomas; Conversions – Steenson (4); Penalties – Steenson (3)

Yellow Card: Scaysbrook

Referee: W Barnes

Touch Judges: R Goodliffe & R Maybank
4th Official: JP Doyle
 

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Gloucester (H), Aviva Premiership, Saturday, 5 May (3pm)

For the full match report click here.

Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency