Chiefs 51 Bristol 7

Exeter Chiefs 51


Bristol 7

Mark Stevens at Sandy Park

Three years have passed since Exeter Chiefs last locked horns with Bristol on a rugby field.

On that occasion, a place in the Aviva Premiership was up for grabs as the two clubs battled it out during the inaugural Championship Play-Off final.

After two blood and thunder encounters, it was the Chiefs who ultimately prevailed, claiming their spot amongst English rugby's elite for the first time; whilst Bristol were left to lick their wounds and contemplate life another rung down the league ladder.

Since then the Chiefs have flourished in the top flight, twice claiming top six finishes, whilst at the same time mixing it with the cream of Europe in the Heineken Cup. Bristol, on the other hand, have had to ply their trade in the Championship, watching as Worcester Warriors, London Welsh and Newcastle Falcons have all advanced back into the Premiership.

And now with a new campaign just two weeks away, the gulf in class between the two clubs was clearly evident as Rob Baxter's side ran riot running in eight tries during a comprehensive 51-7 victory.

On a day when the Devon club ruled the roost in every facet of the game, the rare highlight for the visitors - who have now leaked 120 points in two pre-season fixtures - was a late consolation try from centre Fatua Otta.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, were in good touch as they claimed tries through Ben White, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Tom Johnson, Ian Whitten, Stuart Townsend, Tom James and Henry Slade, who also added 11 points with the boot.

With the famous Red Arrows providing a special pre-match flyby, Baxter's side were equally as slick during a first half performance that yielded 36 points without reply.

Having taken an early lead through a Slade penalty, the Chiefs claimed their opening try on 15 minutes when flanker White emerged from a masses of bodies that had powered their way under the Bristol posts.

Slade added the extras to White's score before getting in on the try-scoring act himself when he was able to stretch out far enough to score following some robust work up front by the home pack.

With Bristol struggling for ideas in attack, defensively they were being kept busy as the Devon side continued to push forward.

It therefore came as little surprise when the Chiefs extended their advantage with a three-try blast just before the break.

First over was summer signing Vainikolo as he powered his way over in the corner after near approach play from Jack Arnott and Phil Dollman; then England international Johnson and Irish centre Whitten followed suit as Exeter exploited the numbers game to good effect.

HALF TIME EXETER CHIEFS 36 BRISTOL 0

The Chiefs were quickly into their stride on the resumption, but it took a last-gasp tackle from Bristol centre Andy Short to deny Arnott from touching down in the left-hand corner with just two minutes elapsed.

Further chances continued to come and go, including a golden opportunity for Tongan powerhouse Vainikolo who knocked on just inches from the line following a clever cross-field kick from replacement fly-half Ceri Sweeney.

Bristol were holding on for grim death, but as the clock ticked onto the hour mark the Chiefs finally made their breakthrough as a slick attacking move created the opening for England Under-20s starlet Slade to coast over.

Again with the scent for more points, the home side continued to press forward. Initially they were repelled before a strong run from replacement Justin Blanchet created the opening for Academy scrum-half Stu Townsend to squirm over in the corner.

To Bristol's credit they kept plugging away despite the heavy battering they were receiving - and their efforts were duly rewarded when one particular raid saw James Grindal feed the onrushing Otta, who nipped his way through a gap in the home midfield to score. Tristan Roberts added the extras with an easy conversion.

It was, however, left to the Chiefs to have the final say when Matt Jess intercepted a ball just inside to launch an initial counter, although Bristol held the 'Heamoor Flyer' at bay, the ball was worked out to Welsh international James, whose clever chip kick over the top he reclaimed before racing over the whitewash to seal the win.
Chiefs: J Arnott (T James 66); F Vainikolo (S Blanchet 61), I Whitten (S Hill h/t), P Dollman (C Sweeney h/t), T James (M Jess h/t); H Slade, H Thomas (D Lewis h/t, S Townsend 64), B Moon (A Brown 72), L Cowan-Dickie (C Whitehead 26, J Yeandle 72), C Mitchell (H Tui 38, C Rimmer 67); T Hayes (W Carrick-Smith 62), J Phillips; T Johnson (J Conlon 52), B White (K Horstmann 62), D Ewers (J Blanchet 66)

Tries - White, Slade (2), Vainikolo, Johnson, Whitten, Townsend, James; Conversions - Slade (4); Penalty - Slade

Bristol: G Watkins; C Amesbury (F Otto h/t), A Short (S Speight 70), L Eves (B Mosses 63), R Edwards (C Amesbury 78); A Jarvis (T Roberts h/t), R Tipuna (C Brayley h/t, J Grindal 72), M Lilley (B Douglas 41), R Johnston (O Hayes 62), J Hall (J Hobson h/t); B Glynn (G Townson h/t), M Sorenson (capt); I Grieve (M Mama h/t), J Merriman, B Skirving (M Eadie 63). Replacement (not used): N Carpenter, R Lawrence

Try - Otto; Conversion - Roberts

Referee: G Garner

Touch Judges: P Burton & P Bayleff

Attendance: 5,513