Scarlets 16 Chiefs 22

Scarlets        16

Exeter Chiefs    22

Mark Stevens at Parc Y Scarlets

The European escapades of the Exeter Chiefs hit new heights in Wales as Rob Baxter’s side claimed their maiden Heineken Cup victory against the Scarlets.

Haydn Thomas’ early try, alongside a 17-point haul from fly-half Gareth Steenson, ensured another piece of history for the Devon club, who are clearly relishing dining at the top table with the elite of the European game.

The Scarlets countered with a penalty try and kicks from Rhys Priestland and Aled Thomas, but it was never enough in a hard-fought encounter at the Parc Y Scarlets.

Fresh from victories in their five previous league and cup fixtures, Baxter was still content to tinker with his winning formula as he made six changes to the side that saw off London Wasps 30-23 last time out.

Four of those switches came up front where there were starts for Simon Alcott, Hoani Tui, Damian Welch and Tom Johnson; whilst behind international stars Sireli Naqelevuki and Gonzalo Camacho were also included from the outset.

Likewise, the Scarlets were also able to make over a handful of changes as they welcomed back into their fold a plethora of household names from international duty, including skipper Jonathan Davies, Matthew Rees, Tavis Knoyle and the deadly Priestland.

From the outset, the Welsh region were keen to take the game to their English counterparts as they set about launching a number of early raids in behind enemy lines. The Chiefs, though, were in miserly mood and having soaked up the initial wave of attacks, they stung their hosts with the opening try of the game.

Fijian ace Naqelevuki instigated the move as he fielded a ball just inside his own half, before setting off on a trundling run that left a trail of defenders spread-eagled in his wake.
Eventually the imposing centre was hauled to the floor, but not before he had fed full-back Luke Arscott, who in turn offloaded to Thomas, who was able to scamper his way over the whitewash with Steenson duly converting.

The Scarlets countered almost immediately with Priestland’s first kick of the game, given after Arscott had been penalised by French referee Mathieu Raynal for holding on in the tackle.

However, the metronomic boot of Steenson soon had his side back in command as two successive penalties helped to stretch the visiting lead to 10 points.

It was impressive stuff from the Chiefs who – with an often direct approach – were causing no end of problems for their hosts, who momentarily hit back with a second Priestland penalty

As the half ticked towards a close, Camacho and Tui both threatened with breaks inside the home 22, the latter of which set up the scrum from which Steenson was able to add a third penalty after the Welshmen crumbled under intense Exeter pressure.

With the final action of the half, Priestland had a further opportunity to cut the deficit, but this time the Welsh international saw his lengthy punt fall short and wide of the target.

HALF TIME    SCARLETS 6        EXETER CHIEFS 16

On the resumption, the Chiefs were quickly into their stride as a strong carry from Alcott down the left flank saw the visitors work the ball to the opposite wing to former Scarlets player Welch, who just yards from the line was unable to feed the ball off to the incoming James Scaysbrook.

Although it was a let off for the home side, the Scarlets were dealt a serious blow when playmaker Priestland was stretchered from the field with what appeared a serious looking injury to his knee.

Replacement Aled Thomas was introduced into the fold at No.10, but his first involvement in the action was to see Steenson, his opposite number, slot a fourth penalty after the home side were pulled up for dragging down a Chiefs line-out.

Thomas and Steenson exchanged a penalty apiece as the arm wrestle up front intensified, but the Scarlets were far from finished and in a defiant last throw of the dice, they looked for a way back into the contest.

With a mounting penalty count allowing the Welsh side to gain vital territory deep inside the Exeter half, the mounting pressure on the Chiefs defence saw them concede another penalty, the result of which saw referee Raynal lose patience and dispatch replacement prop Ben Moon to the sin-bin.

The Chiefs were forced to make a change to bolster their front-row options, meaning winger Jess was sacrificed for the re-introduction of Brett Sturgess. However, the Scarlets smelt blood and with a significant shunt at five-metre scrum, the Chiefs buckled and the penalty try – converted by Thomas – was duly awarded.

Whereas it was the Devonians who were dominating earlier in the contest, now it was the turn of the Scarlets to flex their muscles.

The introduction of Knoyle from the bench certainly gave the Scarlets a fresh spark, but as hard as they pushed in the closing quarter, the Chiefs remained defiant in their defensive duties – a point illustrated when man of the match Camacho won his side a penalty under his own posts.

Camacho’s endeavours helped relieve the pressure and for the final seconds, it was the visitors who took control of proceedings, cleverly closing out the game to seal a memorable win.

Scarlets: D Newton; L Williams, J Davies (capt), S Williams, A Fenby; R Priestland (A Thomas 48), A Davies (T Knoyle 62); P John (S Hopkins 77), M Rees (K Owens 52) , S Lee (J Adriaanse 13); G Earle (S Timani 52), R Kelly; A Shingler (J Snyman 67), J Edwards, K Murphy. Replacements: G Maule.

Try – Penalty Try; Conversion – Thomas; Penalties – Priestland (2), Thomas

Chiefs: L Arscott; G Camacho, S Naqelevuki (I Whitten 55), J Shoemark (I Mieres 72), M Jess (B Sturgess 69-76); G Steenson, H Thomas (K Barrett 12); B Sturgess (B Moon 58), S Alcott (N Clark 55), H Tui (C Rimmer 58); T Hayes (capt), D Welch (D Mumm 55); T Johnson (A Muldowney 72), J Scaysbrook, R Baxter.

Try – Thomas; Conversion – Steenson; Penalties – Steenson (5)

Yellow Card: Moon

Referee: M Raynal (FRFU)

Touch Judges: J Lamirand and J Luc Rebollal

Attendance: 7,512

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Scarlets (H), Heineken Cup, Saturday, December 15 (3.40pm)