Chiefs defeated by London Wasps

London Wasps 19 Exeter Chiefs 16

Exeter’s Henry Slade may well be one of English’s rugby gems of the future, but today it was the wise old man Andy Goode who proved the ‘King of Adams Park’ as he settled an enthralling Aviva Premiership encounter.

With the final kick of the game, the experienced No.10 dispatched a sublime 40-metre drop-goal to condemn Rob Baxter’s visiting Chiefs to a sixth league defeat of the season.

Mocked by the home faithful during a patchy first half from the former England international, Goode duly answered his critics in style after the break, using his experience and guile to craft a vital victory for his team.

Having led 13-3 at the break thanks to an early Dave Lewis Try and eight points from the boot of Slade, Wasps hauled themselves back into the contest thanks to kicks from Goode and Elliot Daly, plus a second half score from scrum-half Joe Simpson.

The Chiefs had only themselves to blame as a nervy and at times indisciplined second half show allowed Wasps to gain crucial momentum. Even then, the Devonians could have claimed a victory of their own, although the TMO deemed otherwise as he chalked off a potential score from Slade. Replays later showed the young playmaker may well have bagged his maiden score, but it was not to be.

Whereas the Chiefs ended 2013 with defeat to Harlequins in Big Game 6, Wasps were victorious on the road with a hard fought victory over Newcastle Falcons in testing conditions at Kingston Park. That said, Dai Young still tinkered with his winning formula making three changes to his starting line-up. Two of them came in the back-row where Guy Thompson and Rory Pitman started in place of James Haskell and Sam Jones; whilst England international Joe Simpson was given the nod at scrum-half with Charlie Davies dropping to the bench.

There was also a new look to the Chiefs line-up as former Wasps player Chris Whitehead was recalled at hooker; James Hanks came into the second-row and there was a new half-back pairing in the shape of Dave Lewis and Slade, the latter of whom was making his first-ever Premiership start.

And it did not take Slade long to make an impact on proceedings as he slotted the conversion to the opening try of the game which came inside the opening minute when scrum-half Lewis scampered over for his maiden score in Exeter colours.

Having won a line-out wide on the right through skipper Dean Mumm, the visitors drove the ball back inside through their forwards and when a ruck was formed midway inside the Wasps half, Lewis sniped from the base, racing clear of the home cover to score under the posts.

Although it was a dream start for Baxter’s side, Wasps looked to counter almost immediately as a smart counter-attack saw the ball chipped in behind the Exeter defence, releasing speedster Tom Varndell at pace down the left flank. However, as the former England international looked to close in on the try-line, a crucial foot in touch denied him a likely score.

*Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/ Pinnacle Photo Agency

Referee: D Richards

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Glasgow Warriors (H), Heineken Cup, Saturday, January 11 (3pm)

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