Chiefs show their class in derby clash

Three years have passed since Exeter Chiefs last locked horns with Bristol on a rugby field, writes Mark Stevens.

On that occasion, a place in the Aviva Premiership was up for grabs as the two clubs battled it out during the inaugural Championship Play-Off final.

After two blood and thunder encounters, it was the Chiefs who ultimately prevailed, claiming their spot amongst English rugby’s elite for the first time; whilst Bristol were left to lick their wounds and contemplate life another rung down the league ladder.

Since then the Chiefs have flourished in the top flight, twice claiming top six finishes, whilst at the same time mixing it with the cream of Europe in the Heineken Cup.

Bristol, on the other hand, have had to ply their trade in the Championship, watching as Worcester Warriors, London Welsh and Newcastle Falcons have all advanced back into the Premiership.

And now with a new campaign just two weeks away, the gulf in class between the two clubs was clearly evident as Rob Baxter’s side ran riot running in eight tries during a comprehensive 51-7 victory. On a day when the Devon club ruled the roost in every facet of the game, the rare highlight for the visitors – who have now leaked 120 points in two pre-season fixtures – was a late consolation try from centre Fatua Otta.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, were in good touch as they claimed tries through Ben White, Fetu’u Vainikolo, Tom Johnson, Ian Whitten, Stuart Townsend, Tom James and Henry Slade, who also added 11 points with the boot.

Final score: Exeter Chiefs 51 Bristol 7

Chiefs: J Arnott (T James 66); F Vainikolo (S Blanchet 61), I Whitten (S Hill h/t), P Dollman (C Sweeney h/t), T James (M Jess h/t); H Slade, H Thomas (D Lewis h/t, S Townsend 64), B Moon (A Brown 72), L Cowan-Dickie (C Whitehead 26, J Yeandle 72), C Mitchell (H Tui 38, C Rimmer 67); T Hayes (W Carrick-Smith 62), J Phillips; T Johnson (J Conlon 52), B White (K Horstmann 62), D Ewers (J Blanchet 66)

Tries - White, Slade (2), Vainikolo, Johnson, Whitten, Townsend, James; Conversions - Slade (4); Penalty - Slade

Bristol: G Watkins; C Amesbury (F Otto h/t), A Short (S Speight 70), L Eves (B Mosses 63), R Edwards (C Amesbury 78); A Jarvis (T Roberts h/t), R Tipuna (C Brayley h/t, J Grindal 72), M Lilley (B Douglas 41), R Johnston (O Hayes 62), J Hall (J Hobson h/t); B Glynn (G Townson h/t), M Sorenson (capt); I Grieve (M Mama h/t), J Merriman, B Skirving (M Eadie 63). Replacement (not used): N Carpenter, R Lawrence

Try - Otto; Conversion – Roberts

Referee: G Garner Touch Judges: P Burton & P Bayleff

Attendance: 5,513 

See more at: http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/sportleague/report/fixture-41/#sthash.IfC7...