Under-18s off to flying start

Exeter Chiefs Under-18s got their new season off to a flying start as they overcame rivals Bath 27-0 in the opening fixture of this season's Premiership Under-18s League.

With both sides boasting players with both international and A League experience, it was the Chiefs who were quickest out of the traps at Topsham.

An early yellow card for Bath, given after scrum-half Jack Oulton was taken out in the air, saw Exeter make use of the numerical advantage to score the opening try through No.8 Brad Howe, which Joel Matavesi converted.

Although the home side continued to batter away at Bath in the first period, all they could muster in terms of further reward before the break was a penalty from Truro College fly-half Matavesi.

However, the power of the Chiefs side was clearly evident as they continued to dominate during the second half. Winger Harrison Cully claimed a second try when he finished off a silky handling move, before replacement prop Tommy Southworth rumbled over for a third try just past the hour mark.

Bath did their best to try and summon a response of sorts, but it all to no avail as the Chiefs wrapped up victory with a try for Jack Maunder, the son of Exeter legend Andy Maunder, which was converted by Tom Putt.

The Chiefs will now look forward to the visit of Bristol to Sandy Park on December 14 for their next fixture.