Wasps 27 Chiefs 41

Wasps 27

Exeter Chiefs 41

Mark Stevens at the Ricoh Arena

On the fifth day of Christmas it wasn’t five gold rings that the Exeter Chiefs collected, instead it was five valuable league points as they moved to the summit of the Aviva Premiership with victory over Wasps.

Rob Baxter’s side delivered arguably their best display of the past 12 months, scoring six tries in the process, to ensure they will be in the division’s top two this yuletide.

Thomas Waldrom led the way for the visitors, scoring a hat-trick of tries, whilst there were further touchdowns for Mitch Lees, Jack Nowell and Moray Low. Fly-half Gareth Steenson booted over the remainder of the Exeter points with another accomplished display.

In reply, Wasps - who had not leaked a try at home all season until today - countered with scores of their own from Frank Halai, Ashley Johnson and Lorenzo Cittadini, whilst the prolific Jimmy Gopperth added a further 12 points with his metronomic right boot.

The only downside for the Chiefs on a bright night in the Midlands, however, was the sight of England star Henry Slade being stretchered from the field late in the contest with a suspected broken leg.

Fresh from their narrow home win over Harlequins last time out, the Chiefs were forced into change ahead of kick-off in the Midlands. Injuries to back-row duo Dave Ewers and Don Armand meant Tom Johnson and Julian Salvi were brought into the pack, alongside international duo Tomas Francis and Geoff Parling.

Behind, personnel remained largely untouched with Baxter opting to use Sam Hill in the centre as he traded places with Irishman Ian Whitten.

Wasps, meanwhile, also made changes - seven in total - from that which had seen off London Irish 33-15 at the Madejski Stadium. Again, the majority came up front where there were inclusions for Cittadini, Bradley Davies, Sam Jones, George Smith and Guy Thompson; whilst Dan Robson and Gopperth provided a new-look half-back pairing.

From the outset, though, it was Baxter’s side who set the tone, producing a stunning first half display, the likes of which has not been seen since they swept aside Cardiff Blues in the Heineken Cup back in October 2013.

Just five minutes in and the visitors were up and running, Steenson slotting his first points of the afternoon when he punished the home side for straying offside in front of their own posts.

It was the ideal start for the Devon outfit who, despite momentarily losing Parling to the sidelines for a head assessment, extended their lead on 13 minutes. Damian Welch - on for the England and British Lions star - settled immediately, clutching a line-out ball and setting up the platform from which the Chiefs were able to drive No.8 Waldrom over for his first try of the campaign.

Wasps countered briefly with a soft Gopperth penalty, before the visitors struck for a second time, a slick handling move involving Will Chudley and Henry Slade, creating the space for Nowell to gallop down the right flank and over the whitewash for the try, which Steenson converted with relative ease.

Again Gopperth checked the Chiefs with a second penalty, but it was a momentary respite for the Midlanders, who were hit with an Exeter one-two in the space of three minutes.

Sensing they had the superior edge up front, the Chiefs again went for the corner following a penalty. Using their juggernaut pack to full effect, they first propelled Lees over the line for his first-ever top flight score, before Waldrom followed suit to ensure the bonus point was all wrapped up inside 34 minutes as the visitors led 37-6.

As half time approached, Wasps were given a lifeline back into the contest when they nabbed their first try of the afternoon, Robson’s gentle grubber kick in behind appeared to be causing little danger until Nowell spilled the ball under pressure, gifting Halai the chance to dot down from a yard out. Gopperth added the extras with the last kick of an absorbing first period.

HALF TIME WASPS 13 EXETER CHIEFS 27

Having been given the lift just before the break, the home faithful were on their feet again just four minutes into the second period as they pocked a second converted score. Centre Ben Jacobs caused the initial problem, screeching through a yawning gap in the Exeter defensive line to put the visitors on the back foot. With the Chiefs scrambling in defence, Wasps worked their way through a string of phases, the fruits of which saw hooker Ashley Johnson steamroller his way over on the burst.

Back within a converted score, it was the home side who suddenly had a bit of swagger about them. Whereas it was the Chiefs who were ruling the roost in the first 40 minutes, now it was Dai Young’s men who drew level on 52 minutes with a third converted try. No.8 Thompson set the platform, galloping clear as he latched onto a pass in midfield and although he was felled short of the line, Italian international Cittadini was in hot pursuit, collecting the loose ball to drive over from just a few yards out.

Suddenly it was ‘game on’ as far as everyone packed inside the Ricoh was concerned, but the Chiefs had other ideas and it was not long before they edged themselves back in front.

Strong work again from the Exeter eight, which had been boosted by the arrival of fresh muscle from the sidelines, won them yet another penalty and - just as they did in the first half - the visitors declined the kick at goal. Instead, they plumped for the kick to the corner.

Drive one came and went without too much issue, but when they were afforded a second chance, there was no messing this time from Baxter’s side who, as they had done earlier in the match, worked as one to send Waldrom over for his hat-trick score, which Steenson duly converted to put Exeter seven points clear again.

Wasps were far from finished and they threatened themselves at the other end when the dangerous Nathan Hughes powered through the heart of the Chiefs rearguard only to be thwarted under the visiting posts.

The Chiefs were mightily relieved to survive the threat, but the more pressing concern was the sight of England ace Slade stricken on the floor. As the medical team rushed to his aid, the minutes slowly elapsed before he was finally stretched from the field. It didn’t look good for the young playmaker.

Such a loss could well have affected the ‘Men in White’ but instead they proceeded down field, winning another penalty which you guessed they kicked to the corner. Again Welch soared highest to clutch the ball and set the platform. This time, though, the Chiefs did not drive, instead they worked the ball inside through a series of pick-and-go raids. It positioned them within inches of the line before Scottish international Low burrowed his way over for the match-clinching sixth score, again converted by Steenson.

Even then the Chiefs could have added the icing on the cake in the final minute with one final chance, but in-form winger Short was denied as he looked to latch onto a Chudley pass.

Wasps: C Piutau; S Tagicakibau, E Daly, B Jacobs (A Leiua 64), F Halai; J Gopperth, D Robson (J Simpson 53), M Mullan (capt, S McIntyre 64), A Johnson (E Shervington 64), L Cittadini (J Cooper-Wooley 53); B Davies, J Gaskell (K Myall 64); S Jones, G Smith, G Thompson (N Hughes 53). Replacement (not used): R Jackson

Tries - Halai, Johnson, Cittadini; Conversions - Gopperth (3); Penalties - Gopperth (2)

Chiefs: P Dollman; J Nowell, H Slade (O Woodburn 66), S Hill (I Whitten 53), J Short; G Steenson, W Chudley; B Moon (C Rimmer 53), J Yeandle (capt, E Taione 66), T Francis (M Low 63); M Lees, G Parling (D Welch 8-15, 50); T Johnson (B White 53), J Salvi, T Waldrom. Replacement (not used): D Lewis.

Tries - Waldrom (3), Nowell, Lees, Low; Conversions - Steenson (4); Penalty - Steenson

Referee: G Garner

Attendance: 10,304