Wasps 40 Braves 49

Wasps 40

Exeter Braves 49

Mark Stevens at Maidenhead RFC

Exeter Braves kept up their hopes of a semi-final place in this season’s Aviva Premiership A League as they saw off Wasps in a 13-try thriller in Maidenhead.

After a dominant first half display from the visitors, the Braves suffered a nasty sting from Wasps after the break as the home side fought their way back valiantly.

Up 35-7 at the break thanks to converted score from Sam Simmonds (2), Elvis Taione and Max Bodilly, the Braves added to their tally after the break with further scores through Taione and Brett Sturgess.

Fly-half Ceri Sweeney plundered conversions to all five first half scores and was on the mark again in the second period adding a further four points to finish with a haul of 14 on the night.

Wasps, though, played their part in a hugely entertaining encounter claiming tries through Ollie Lyons, Josh Bassett (2), Tom Howe, Glyn Hughes and Piers O’Connor. Fly-half Hughes slotted four conversions, alongside another from Harry Sheppard, but it was not enough in the end to deny the men from Devon.

Back in action for the first time since October, the Braves were looking to build on their three previous wins with a powerful display against a youthful Wasps side.

Former Welsh international Sweeney headed up a strong visiting line-up and it was not long before the experienced playmaker made his mark on proceedings, slotting the conversion to Exeter’s opening try on three minutes. Flanker Simmonds (pictured) was the beneficiary as he was driven over by his fellow forwards from a well-drilled line-out deep inside the home 22.

Five minutes later and Simmonds was at it again, this time applying the finish after the Braves opted against a kick at goal following a scrum penalty, instead drilling the ball into the corner and then working the ball inside from the line out for the flame-haired forward to strike.Sweeney again obliged with the extras to give the visitors a comfortable 14-0 lead.

It was hardly the start Wasps had envisaged but - to their credit - they responded valiantly and they cut the deficit when the lively Lyons latched onto the ball in midfield, before brushing aside two tacklers and racing over the whitewash for an opening score which Hughes duly converted.

Up front, though, it was the Braves who were dominating and using their superior strength, speed and experience to the full, they added a third converted try midway through the half when another driving maul enabled Tongan international Taione to rumble over from close range.

The Braves were dominating in all facets and it came as no surprise when they added the all-important fourth try on 27 minutes. Pushing Wasps off their own scrum, No.8 Sam Skinner picked up from the base, linked with Dave Lewis who in turn fed Jerry Sexton, whose offload in midfield allowed the onrushing Bodilly to race unopposed to the sticks for the score. Sweeney converted with easy to put his team firmly in command at 28-7.

Four soon became five for the Braves as powerful carrying amongst the Exeter pack saw them punch their way into enemy territory, the fruits of which resulted in Taione grabbing his second of the night as he picked up from five metres out to score. Sweeney was again on song with the simple conversion from in front of the posts.

To say it was one-way traffic was somewhat of an understatement, but Wasps were given a glimmer of hope just before the break when Exeter flanker Joel Conlon was shown yellow for a professional foul. The home side, though, could not capitalise as stout defence from the Braves saw them stave off the threat before going close themselves when Lewis linked well with Sexton down the right-hand flank.

HALF TIME WASPS 7 EXETER BRAVES 35

With seemingly a mountain to climb in the second period, Wasps wasted little time in looking to claw back the deficit. A slick handling move saw them open up the Braves defence at pace and when the ball was shipped wide to the left, winger Bassett was able to collect on the charge before galloping in under the posts for Hughes to convert for a second time.

The score seemed to ignite the hosts, who moments later added a third converted try, capitalising on a fumble in midfield from the Braves before working the ball to Bassett, whose hack ahead saw fellow winger Howe scorch through the middle to win the race to the line.

Suddenly the momentum was with Wasps who chalked up their own try bonus on 52 minutes when the impressive Hughes was able to pick his way through a yawning gap in the Exeter rearguard to claim the score, which he also converted to leave just seven points between the two teams.

Now it was the Braves who were rocking on the ropes as Wasps looked to capitalise on their up turn in fortunes. Thankfully, Exeter had other ideas and have repelled the attacking threat, they bounced back at the other end with a hat-trick score from Taione, who was able to dot down after a heavy forward surge. Sweeney (pictured) added conversion number six to maintain his unblemished record on the night.

With breathing space again at their disposal, the Braves were again able to exert their muscle up front through a series of close-range, pick-and-go moves that ultimately resulted in the experienced Sturgess rumbling over for converted try number seven.

Wasps, though, refused to lie down and two quick fire tries in as many minutes from Bassett and O’Connor set up a dramatic final five minutes for the Braves to hold out

Crucially, Sheppard’s failure to convert the second score meant the home side remained two scores behind - and despite a lot of huff and puff from Wasps late on, Exeter held their nerve to set-up a qualification decider against arch rivals Bath at Sandy Park next Monday (6:30pm).

Wasps: P O’Connor; T Howe, O Evans (H Sheppard 58), G Eastwell, J Bassett; G Hughes (O James 65), T Bliss (J Small-Edwards 65); A Lundberg (T West 65), G Edgson (I Browne 75), W Taylor; W Rowlands, J O’Leary; H Broadbent, O Lyons, O Hirskyj-Douglas.

Tries - Lyons, Bassett (2), Howe, Hughes, O’Connor; Conversions - Hughes (4), Sheppard

Braves: J Arnott; J Faulkner (P Laverick 71), M Bodilly, T Hendrickson, A Willcockson (L May 71); C Sweeney, D Lewis (S Townsend 65); B Sturgess (K Davies 71), E Taione (J Innard 65), A Brown (J Stanley 71); J Sexton, E Holmes (J Caulfield h/t); J Conlon, S Simmonds (H Ledger 75), S Skinner.

Tries - Simmonds (2), Taione (3), Bodilly, Sturgess; Conversions - Sweeney (7)

Yellow Card: Conlon

Referee: A Small

UP NEXT FOR THE BRAVES: v Bath United, Aviva Premiership A League, Monday, December 29 (6:30pm)