Chiefs return to winning ways

Exeter’s European escapades are back on track after the Chiefs returned to winning ways with a comfortable 34-19 victory over French visitors Bordeaux-Begles.

Rob Baxter’s side dominated for large periods in this Round Two encounter, running in four tries on the night courtesy of Olly Woodburn (2), Moray Low and Ian Whitten. England international Henry Slade landed the remainder of the points for the Aviva Premiership side, slotting four penalties and a conversion in an assured performance at fly-half.

Bordeaux – who were tasting Europe’s top competition for the first time in 16 years – played their part in an entertaining contest, claiming three tries of their own through Nans Ducuing, Julien Rey and Yann Lesgourgues.

It was, however, never enough against the Chiefs, who must now ready themselves for two mouth-watering encounters with last season’s runners-up Clermont-Auvergne next month.

Having seen their three-game winning streak come to an abrupt halt against the Ospreys, Baxter’s side knew a return to home comforts would provide the necessary lift they craved.

Ahead of kick-off, the hosts rang the changes with a new-look front-row of Messrs Moon, Yeandle and Low, whilst there were also starts in the pack for Geoff Parling, Ben White and Tom Johnson.

Behind, England international Slade shunted from the centre to fly-half, whilst there were also inclusions for Woodburn, Ian Whitten and the returning Phil Dollman.

The visitors, meanwhile, were able to parade a more-than-useful outfit, even though they had yet to kick-off their own European campaign following the tragic events in Paris just a week earlier.

From the outset, though, the Chiefs were quickly into their stride and the only real surprise was that it took until the ninth minute for the hosts to register their first points of the game.

Slade provided the first blow, firing over the penalty after Bordeaux tight-head Patrick Toetu was penalised for dropping a scrum under pressure from Moon. Minutes later and the home fans were celebrating again, this time with the game’s opening try.

Nowell and Johnson laid the foundations with an outstanding break-out from deep inside their own half, before the ball was fed through the hands of Whitten and White, who was able to feed Woodburn to go over in the left corner for his maiden score.

The Frenchmen were struggling to contain the home threat, but midway through the half they demonstrated their own attacking prowess, stinging the Chiefs with a try of their own.

Having won a line-out wide on the left, the ball was worked masterfully along their back division from one wing to the other, before full-back Ducuing propelled himself over for the score, which was converted by French international Beauxis.

Almost immediately, the Chiefs threatened once more – Whitten’s excellence at the restart – creating the chance for the Devonians to work the ball left to White, Woodburn and Sam Hill, but the latter was bundled into touch at the crucial moment.

From the resultant line-out, Bordeaux-Begles appeared to serve up perfect ball for their pack, but all of a sudden it was Scotsman Low (pictured above) who emerged from the masses to wriggle his way over from five metres to claim Exeter’s second try, which Slade this time converted.

Slade banged over a second penalty shortly after and another just before the break to increase Exeter’s grip on proceedings as the half came to a close. In between, the Chiefs did have further chances to score – White had an effort chalked off by the TV match official – but it was not to be as the two teams headed for the tunnel.

Half time: Exeter Chiefs 21 Bordeaux-Begles 7