Chiefs 33 Connacht 13

Exeter Chiefs 33

Connacht 13

Mark Stevens at Sandy Park

Exeter Chiefs moved to the top of Pool Two in this season's European Rugby Challenge Cup with an impressive five-try victory over visiting Connacht.

Rob Baxter's side put to bed the disappointment of defeat to Bayonne seven days earlier by producing a ruthless display that swot aside the attentions of the visiting Irish province.

First half tries from Will Chudley, Henry Slade and Damian Welch set them on course for victory before man-of-the-match Dave Ewers and Ben White got in on the act during the second period.

Irish fly-half Gareth Steenson plundered four of his five conversions attempts to take him through 1,500 points for the club.

In reply, Connacht - who had lost only once before today - collected two first half penalties from Craig Ronaldson, who also added the extras to a late try from Fionn Carr.

Undone at the death in Bayonne the week previous, Baxter knew this latest European assignment was a ‘must-win’ for his side if they were to keep themselves in contention in Pool Two. It came as little surprise, therefore, that the Chiefs leader paraded a powerful line-up for the visit of the Irish province, who kicked off their own campaign with a 48-12 win at home to La Rochelle.

In the pack, Moray Low - who was making his first start on home soil - and Don Armand were the sole survivors up front, while behind just winger Jack Nowell remained in harness in a totally revamped back division.

Connacht, meanwhile, took the opportunity to rotate some of their squad ahead of next week’s league date with Ospreys, but it was still a more than capable starting XV which took to the Sandy Park turf, including the likes of Robbie Henshaw, Danie Poolman, Nathan White and the experienced Michael Swift, who was back after missing the La Rochelle clash through injury.

The early exchanges were somewhat frantic as both clubs looked to gain the early ascendancy, but it was the visitors who broke the deadlock on five minutes when Ronaldson slotted his side in front after England international Nowell had been pulled up by referee Pascal Gauzere for holding on in the tackle.

Connacht’s lead, though, was short-lived as the Chiefs roared into life within three minutes. Skipper Jack Yeandle offered the initial warning shot as he knocked on just yards from the home line following neat build-up work involving Ewers, Thomas Waldrom, Ben Moon and White.

However, a minute later the home faithful were celebrating as a line-out take from Welch released Waldrom on the charge and although the imposing No.8 was halted by the visitors, he shipped the ball to the onrushing Chudley, who scampered clear of the cover to go in under the posts for the converted score.

It was a slick score from the Chiefs who, for the remainder of the half, continued to rule the roost in all departments. Centre Sam Hill went close with one opportunity following build-up play from fellow young guns Nowell and Slade, before the hosts added their second try on 20 minutes.

The no-nonsense, direct running of Baxter’s men was telling and the yardage they were making continually punched holes in the Connacht defence. The pressure was mounting by the minute as strong carries from Yeandle and Ewers created the platform for the Chiefs to work the ball to the left where Jess was downed just inches from the whitewash. Slade, though, was in close attendance and he had the sharpness of mind to pick up from the ruck and expose the gap on the blindside to score his fourth try of the campaign.

Steenson narrowly failed with the testing touchline conversion, whilst a long-range penalty from Slade narrowly missed the target as the Chiefs looked to press home their advantage.
Ronaldson momentarily reduced the arrears with a second penalty on 38 minutes, but with the last play of the half Exeter struck for a third time.

Nowell, then Ewers, did the damage as they opened up Connacht yet again, before the Devonians ruthlessly worked the ball wide to the left, creating the opening for Welch to collect before brushing aside the attentions of Adeolokun to score the try, which Steenson duly converted.

HALF TIME EXETER CHIEFS 19 CONNACHT 6

With three tries already in the bag, the Chiefs re-emerged for the second period determined to wrap up the bonus point as quickly as possible. A rampaging run from Hill off midfield ball almost paid dividends, before the impressive Ewers stole over six minutes into the half to put the home side in control of proceedings with the all-important fourth try, which Steenson duly converted.

Connacht looked for a response of sorts, but nothing was forthcoming as they were met by a steely Chiefs rearguard who seemed hell bent on keeping their line intact.

Indeed, having soaked up a moment of Connacht pressure, the Chiefs preceded down the other end of the field to claim a fifth try - again converted by Steenson - through flanker White, who was able to steal over by the posts after the home side had caught their rivals napping following a quickly taken tap penalty.

The contest effectively over at 33-6, Baxter took the opportunity to run his bench for the final quarter of the game, including former Connacht players Brett Sturgess and Fetu’u Vainikolo.
However, the plethora of changes sadly took the fizz out of Exeter’s sparkling performance in the closing stages and it was the visitors who finished the stronger. Willie Faloon thought he had coasted over from a Finn pass to claim a late consolation, but referee Gauzere deemed the final pass to be forward and the effort was chalked off.

Despite the hiccup, Connacht continued to try their luck in attack and they were finally rewarded late on as Finn showed some nifty footwork before racing clear off the Exeter cover to score in the left-hand corner. Ronaldson dispatched the conversion from wide out to keep up his unblemished record with the boot.

The consolation score was deserved, especially given Connacht's rally in the final quarter, but for the Chiefs they will now head into their double date with La Rochelle in December with renewed vigour as they sit proudly at the summit.

Next up for Baxter's men is the defence of their LV= Cup crown against rivals Gloucester and Bath, before the bread and butter of the Premiership kicks back into action on November 14 with a testing trip to defending champions Northampton Saints.

Chiefs: C Botha; J Nowell (F Vainikolo 67), H Slade, S Hill, M Jess; G Steenson (I Whitten 60), W Chudley (D Lewis 53); B Moon (B Sturgess 57), J Yeandle (capt, E Taione 64), M Low (T Francis 50); D Armand, D Welch; D Ewers (S Naqelevuki 68), B White (K Horstmann 64, Ewers 79), T Waldrom.

Tries - Chudley, Slade, Welch, Ewers, White; Conversions - Steenson (4)

Connacht: D Leader (C Finn 64); N Adeolokun, R Henshaw (J Carty h/t), D Poolman, F Carr; C Ronaldson, I Porter (C Blade 58); D Buckley (R Loughney 50, D Buckley 64), J Harris-Wright, N White (capt, R Ah You 2-8, 50); M Swift (A Muldowney 33-36, 45), M Kearney; A Browne, W Faloon, G Naoupu (D Qualter 60). Replacement (not used): D Heffernan.

Try - Finn; Conversion - Ronaldson; Penalties - Ronaldson (2)

Referee: P Gauzere (FFR)

Attendance: 8,484

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Gloucester (H), LV= Cup, Saturday, November 1 (3pm)