Chiefs 30 Scarlets 20

Exeter Chiefs     30

Scarlets        20

By Mark Stevens at Sandy Park

Having written one new chapter into the history books of Exeter Rugby Club a week ago, the Chiefs penned another equally exciting tale of triumph as they saw off the Scarlets for a second successive game.

Rob Baxter's side followed up their maiden Heineken Cup scalp in West Wales by producing an equally impressive repeat performance in the latest re-run at Sandy Park.

Tries from Ian Whitten, Simon Alcott and skipper James Scaysbrook were the key highlights for the Devonians, whilst on-song marksman Gareth Steenson added to his seasonal tally with another 15 points from the boot.

The Scarlets, much improved in this latest European encounter, played their part in an absorbing contest. However, converted tries through Ken Owens and Scott Williams, as well as two penalties from fly-half Aled Thomas, were not enough to spare them from slipping to a fourth succesive loss in the competition this term.

Ahead of the game, Baxter took the opportunity to again tinker with his winning formula as he made six changes to his starting line-up from that which won at the Parc Y Scarlets just seven days earlier.

However, the changes did little to affect the in-form Chiefs, who despite seeing an early Steenson penalty sail wide of the mark, broke the deadlock on four minutes with the first of their three tries.

A line-out wide on the right saw Haydn Thomas release Jack Nowell who - in the blink of an eye - stepped his way past two idle defenders, before scorching his way through the heart of the Welsh region's midfield. As the Cornishman drew in the advancing cover, he simply offloaded the ball to his left to the onrushing Whitten (pictured), who did the rest as he glided under the sticks for his first-ever try in Exeter colours.

Steenson converted the early score, before adding a penalty - given after visiting full-back Liam Williams cynically took out Exeter's England ace Tom Johnson with a high tackle as he looked to latch onto a chip over the top from the Irish playmaker.

Top French referee Romain Poite was less than impressed by the actions of Williams, who was duly sent to the sidelines for a 10-minute cool-down.

That said, the Scarlets made light of their numerical disadvantage to register their first points of the game when Thomas slotted a neat penalty from wide on the left flank after the Chiefs were pulled up for straying offside.

It was a momentary blip in concentration from Baxter's braves who, in their next raid down field, claimed their second converted score. Johnson, playing in the role of No.8 for the day, was the main architect as he charged down Thomas' intended clearance. As the ball fell loose, the predatory Alcott swooped like an eagle before propelling himself over the whitewash to make it 17-3.

Again the Scarlets could have countered almost instantly as Alcott was adjudged to have held on in the tackle, but this time Thomas was unable to capitalise pushing his lengthy punt wide of the far post.

The Welshmen, though, were certainly in the mix and when James Hanks was yellow carded for the hosts, they hit the Chiefs with a quick 'one-two' to bring themselves back in range. Thomas plundered a 25th minute penalty after Scaysbrook infirnged at a ruck; then he added the extras to a try from Owens, who was one of three players waiting in the line following a well-crafted overlap move from the visitors.

Hanks duly returned from his short stint in the cooler and with numbers back on level terms, it was the Chiefs who had the final word of the half as Steenson landed another penalty after the Scarlets were punished for pulling down an Exeter maul.

HALF TIME    EXETER CHIEFS 20    SCARLETS 13

Having edged the first period, the Chiefs were hoping to kick on in the same attacking vein after the break. The Scarlets, however, had other ideas and in their first attack of the half, they drew themselves level with a second converted score.

The returning George North was instrumental in the move as he cut in off the wing; collected a pass before bulldozing his way through the middle of the Exeter rearguard. As he left a trail of destruction in his wake, his final effort was to simply feed team-mate Scott Williams, who did the rest as he squeezed his way over in the left-hand corner.

Buoyed by the score, it was now the turn of the Scarlets to show their attacking prowess as the lively North and skipper Jonathan Davies looked to prise open a gap in the home defence.

Thankfully the Chiefs were having none of it. Instead, having played their part in a bullish stand-off which saw both teams batter away at one another, the home side clicked back into gear and drove themselves towards the visiting line.

Aly Muldowney and Sireli Naqelevuki both threatened with charges just yards from the line, the latter of which even prompted a check with the TV match official, before Steenson struck once more with a third penalty following a powerful shove from the home pack just five metes out.

Although it was a slender advantage, it was enough to keep the Chiefs on the up as the game entered into the final quarter.

Baxter, just as he had done the previous week, again took  the opportunity to run his bench, including the return of Ben White following a lengthy injury. And the former Cardiff Blues forward wasted little time in showing his on-field credentials, winning a terrific turnover that enabled Steenson to once more put the visitors on the back foot.

As the Scarlets struggled to clear the danger, the Chiefs threatened once more with a neat blindside move that released Phil Dollman in space down the right wing. Initially the Welshman looked to burst forward, but as the defence closed in he chipped over the top only for the ball to cannon back of an opponent and into touch.

Now entrenched deep inside the visiting 22, the Chiefs went for the jugular as they regained possession and drove towards the line. Initially the Scarlets had plenty of bodies on hand to repel the threat, but when the ball was recycled at pace again by the home side, Kevin Barrett was able to feed Scaysbrook, who made the most of the opening in front of him to claim his sixth try for the club.

Steenson duly wrapped up matters with the resultant conversion to keep the Chiefs not only ticking over nicely in Europe heading into the New Year, but at the same time stretch their current winning steak to a 'magnificent seven'.

Chiefs: P Dollman; J Nowell (L Arscott 52), S Naqelevuki, I Whitten, G Camacho; G Steenson, H Thomas (K Barrett 61); B Sturgess (B Moon 64), S Alcott (N Clark 50), H Tui (C Rimmer 49); A Muldowney, J Hanks (D Welch 64), D Mumm, J Scaysbrook (capt), T Johnson (B White 44). Replacement (not used): I Mieres.

Tries - Whitten, Alcott, Scaysbrook; Conversions - Steenson (3); Penalties - Steenson (3)

Yellow Card: Hanks

Scarlets: L Williams; G North (K Phillips 61), J Davies (capt), S Williams (D Newton 73), G Maule; A Thomas, A Davies (T Knoyle 63); S Hopkins (R Jones 52), K Owens (M Rees 59), S Lee (D Manu 64); S Timani (J Snyman 59), R Kelly; G Earle (T Vallejos 59), J Edwards, K Murphy

Tries - Owens, S Williams; Conversions - Thomas (2); Penalties - Thomas (2)

Yellow Card: L Williams

Referee: R Poite

Touch Judges: C Berdos & E Soulan

4th Official: A Pearce

Attendance: 9,285

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Gloucester (A), Aviva Premiership, Saturday, December 22 (3pm)