Chiefs secure themselves an LV=Cup semi-final date

Worcester Warriors 3 Exeter Chiefs 42

Exeter Chiefs booked themselves an LV= Cup semi-final date next month with Westcountry rivals Bath as they trounced Worcester Warriors 42-3 at Sixways.

In an impressive showing from Rob Baxter’s side, tries from Tom James, Gareth Steenson, Haydn Thomas (2) and Ceri Sweeney paved the way for them to advance out of Pool Two; whilst Irish fly-half Steenson weighed in with a further 17 points with the boot to complete the job.

The Warriors, winless in the Aviva Premiership all season, were second best in every facet of the game and were never able to match the power and pace of their visitors who were ruthless in attack. Indeed, all the home side could muster in terms of a response was a first half penalty from full-back Chris Pennell.

Sadly, that was the only positive for the Midlanders, whose main objective for the remainder of the season must be to try and preserve their top flight existence.

Already 11 points adrift of Newcastle Falcons at the foot of the Premiership, Dean Ryan’s men desperately need to start winning games of rugby. That said, winning is not a certainty and based on this latest showing they have plenty to ponder in the coming weeks and months ahead.

From the outset at Sixways, the Chiefs – who showed ten changes to the side that had defeated the Ospreys seven days earlier – were quickly into their stride. Up front, their bulky pack was always superior, whilst behind the Exeter backs were razor sharp in their attacking intent.

Just six minutes had elapsed when Welshman James was able to cross for the first of their tries. The Chiefs pack did the initial donkey work, mauling a line-out drive to within strike range, after which scrum-half Dave Lewis exposed the space on the blind-side before shipping the ball to the former Cardiff Blues flyer.

Although Steenson saw his testing touchline conversion just sail wide of the near post, the Exeter No.10 made no such mistake as he added two quick fire penalties to put his side firmly in command at 11-0 with just over 20 minutes played.

The Warriors briefly countered as Pennell landed a lengthy penalty of his own after the visitors had been pulled up by Welsh referee Leighton Hodges for going offside, but that would be their only bright spot in a dark day at the office.

As half-time approached, the Chiefs thought they had added a second try when full-back Luke Arscott was able to dive over in the left-hand corner. Sadly for the Plymouth-born back the officials had spotted a forward pass from Ian Whitten and the effort was chalked off.

*Pictures:Exeter Rugby Club / Pinnacle Photo Agency

Referee: L Hodges (WRU)

Attendance: 5,447

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Northampton Saints (H), Aviva Premiership, Saturday, February 8

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