Bordeaux-Begles edge out Exeter Chiefs

Bordeaux-Begles 34 Chiefs 27: Match report

It’s not quite over, but Exeter’s hopes of advancing in this season’s Champions Cup are hanging by a thread after defeat away to Bordeaux-Begles.

Like two prize fighters battling away in the ring, the rivalling teams traded countless blows before the Englishmen were finally floored by Marco Tauleigne’s converted try ten minutes from time.

His late touchdown was the last of eight tries scored at the Stade Chaban Delmas and means Rob Baxter’s Chiefs side now need somewhat of a miracle to advance into the quarter-finals.

They will wrap up their pool fixtures at home to the Ospreys next Sunday knowing not only do they need to claim maximum reward against their Welsh rivals, but also hope today’s latest conquerors can somehow starve Clermont of anything from their final outing.

With qualification from Pool Two still very much up for grabs heading into the game, Baxter paraded a fresh Exeter line-up that showed 13 changes from that which defeated Gloucester in the Premiership last time out.

Just Ollie Atkins and Olly Woodburn were kept in harness as the Devonians shuffled their pack for this must-win encounter.

Although Bordeaux’s own qualification hopes were extinguished by their defeat at Clermont Auvergne in their re-scheduled Round One encounter, home coach Raphael Ibanez was keen to ensure his troops finished their home campaign with a notable scalp.

It was, however, the Chiefs who started the brighter, taking a fourth-minute lead when Will Hooley – making his first European start for Exeter – fired them in front with a penalty after the hosts were penalised by Irish referee John Lacey for going over the top.

Bordeaux countered almost immediately as Connor cut a lovely line off the right wing to release Hugh Chalmers, but as the openside tore down field towards the Exeter line, he knocked on in the tackle and the chance was lost.

Blair Connor, though, was proving a real live-wire and it was from his break that the home side created their first try, the winger linking cleverly with Julien Rey, who although thwarted short of the line, was able to feed the ball back into the path of Australian international Ashley-Cooper, who dotted down from five metres out.

Two minutes later and the Top 14 side were doubling their tally as Jean-Marcelin Buttin burst, followed by a hefty charge from hooker Ole Avei created the opened for Pierre Bernard to feed Connor, who glided his way over for try number two.

The quick one-two from the French had Exeter rocking on the ropes and things were not helped when Bernard landed a penalty shortly after to extend their lead to 13-3.

The Chiefs were in dire need of a response and it duly arrived when Woodburn cleverly fielded a hanging kick, before feeding Byron McGuigan, whose burst through the middle carved the opening for Lewis to race in under the posts for the converted score.

But no sooner had the Chiefs given themselves a lifeline back into the game, they conceded a third score when some powerful running up front paved the way for prop Francisco Gomez Kodela to squeeze his way over from close range. Initially Lacey was unsure of the grounding, but TV replays confirmed the score which was converted by Bernard.

Undeterred, Baxter’s troops kept to their script and when they countered again just past the half hour mark, they were once more rewarded with a second try as Matt Jess and Michele Campagnaro worked in tandem to release McGuigan, who darted down the left flank before diving over.

Holley obliged with the additional extras, landing a sublime kick from wide on the left, and the young fly-half slotted a second penalty with the last kick of the half to restore parity at the turn

Half time: Bordeaux-Begles 20 Exeter Chiefs 20

Baxter proud desopite defeat: http://www.theexeterdaily.co.uk/news/business-daily-sport/baxter-proud-despite-defeat