Wasps 7 Braves 49

London Wasps    7

Exeter Braves    49

Mark Stevens at Dry Leas

Exeter Braves wrapped up their Aviva Premiership A League campaign with a convincing 49-7 victory over London Wasps at Henley.

The reigning champions were in ruthlesss mood up in Oxfordshire as they ran in seven tries in another polished performance.

Youngsters Justin Blanchet, Sam Simmonds and Will Carrick-Smith all crossed for a brace of tries, whilst there was a further touchdown for Chris Budgen. Fly-half Henry Slade weighed in with a further 12 points to complete a hugely satisfying night for the visitors.

In reply, Wasps claimed a first half try through Andy Cannock, which was converted by Will Robinson, but that was all that could muster in a one-sided encounter.

It was rich reward indeed for the Braves who fielded another powerful blend of youth and experience, many of whom had featured prominently in the recent LV= Cup victories over London Welsh and the Ospreys.

And it didn't take the defending champions long to get into their stride as they opened their scoring inside two minutes when prop Budgen trundled over from close range following good approach work from skipper Junior Poluleuligaga.

Fly-half Henry Slade slotted the conversion to that score and Exeter's second try which arrived just moments later when flanker Blanchet was able to force his way over from close range following a sustained spell of pressure.

Somewhat shell-shocked, it didn't get any easier for Wasps who slipped even further behind when winger Mark Foster provided the simple pass for the imposing Carrick-Smith to cross for his third try in as many games.

Already three converted tries down, the home side were in desperate need of a response which, to their credit, they got when lock Andy Cannock was driven over by his fellow forwards from a well constructed line-out move, which Will Robinson converted with aplomb from the right flank.

It was a momentary blip for the Braves, who by the half-hour mark had wrapped up the bonus point when youngster Simmonds found a way through the home defences to claim a fourth try, which Slade again converted with ease.

Exeter's ruthless streak showed no sign of abaiting as they stretched their lead further on the stroke of half time when the lively Blanchet was on hand to finish off another slick passing move with Slade bagging the additional extras.

HALF TIME    LONDON WASPS 7        EXETER BRAVES 35

Both teams rang the changes during the interval with the Braves bringing on Alex Brown, Jamie Gray, Matt Bolwell,  Sam Hill and Jack Arnott for Budgen, Blanchet, Joel Conlon, Ian Whitten and Foster.

The alterations did little to deter the Braves, who should have extended their lead shortly after the resumption when a looping pass from Poluleuligaga off a five-metre scrum just evaded Tatupu wide on the right.

Although Wasps were much improved after the break, the Braves continued to look the more dangerous in attack and it took a last-gasp tackle from Chris Mayor to prevent Simmonds from adding a second score when he intercepted a pass deep inside his own half.

Simmonds (pictured), though, was not to be denied and with the Braves back on the offensive once more, the Ivybridge Academy product helped himself to a second converted score when he was at the bottom of a pile of bodies following a rehearsed catch-and-drive move.

Not content with their tally for the night, the visitors continued to push forward in pursuit of further points. Winger Arnott threatened with one raid, whilst fellow replacement Jack Yeandle caused a few nervy moments for the home defenders with a couple of powerful bursts through the middle.

The Braves, however, were not to be denied and with two minutes remaining they adding a seventh score when Carrick-Smith was on hand to bulldoze his way past at least three tacklers to score. Myles Dorrian - on his 30th birthday - ensured the kicking record for the night remained intact.

Wasps: J Comben (A Harrison 59); L O'Neill, J Holmes, C Mayor (R Shaw 71), W Jones; W Robinson, J Brookes; L Thiede (W Bigley h/t), N Morris (R Grimstone h/t), W Taylor (H Williams h/t); D Hughes, A Cannock (T Spinks h/t); D Asbun (E Ilogu 63), M Everard (capt), T Du Plessis.

Try - Cannock; Conversion - Robinson

Braves: M Dorrian; J Tatupu (M Foster 59), N Sestaret, I Whitten (S Hill h/t), M Foster (J Arnott h/t); H Slade (R Coote 63), J Poluleuligaga (capt); L Cowan-Dickie (L Fairbrother 59), N Clark (J Yeandle 50), C Budgen (A Brown h/t); D Welch, W Carrick-Smith; J Blanchet (J Gray h/t), S Simmonds, J Conlon (M Bolwell h/t).

Tries - Budgen, Blanchet (2), Carrick-Smith (2), Simmonds (2); Conversions - Slade (6), Dorrian