Chiefs 33 Ospreys 17

Exeter Chiefs 33

Ospreys 17

Mark Stevens at Sandy Park

And so the European adventure continues for Exeter Chiefs following an unbelievable final round of action in Pool Two of this season’s Champions Cup.

Seemingly with a mountain to climb ahead of kick-off, Rob Baxter’s side dug deep not only to see off the Ospreys with a five-try blast, but at the same time preserve their lengthy home record.

Exeter’s 33-17 victory will live long in the minds of those who packed into Sandy Park, whilst for those watching on TV at home, the viewing was equally compelling as they advanced to the last eight of Europe’s top competition for the first time.

Two tries apiece from James Short and Thomas Waldrom, plus another from Kai Horstmann, were the key highlights for the men from Devon, but all-round it was a stunning display from a team who never known when they are beaten.

Top of the table heading into the final clash, the Ospreys countered with converted tries from Hanno Dirksen and a Penalty Try, whilst Dan Biggar also slotted a second half penalty

Undone in Bordeaux the previous week, Baxter again rotated his squad for the visit of the Welshmen, who themselves had arrived in Devon brimming with confidence following their home win over Clermont Auvergne that put them to the top of Pool Two.

Having made 13 changes in personnel for the trip across the Channel seven days earlier, only six remained in place for this final outing of the pool. Back came a number of Exeter’s frontline stars, several of whom were involved in the home side’s opening try which arrived after just three minutes.

A rapid opening from the Chiefs saw them quickly set up camp within the Ospreys half and having won a penalty, it was the quick-thinking of Waldrom that caught the visitors napping in defence. His burst propelled Exeter at pace towards the line where, following a series of close-in raids, it was Horstmann who emerged from the mass of bodies to celebrate the opening try, which Steenson converted with aplomb from wide on the right touchline.

Home cheers, however, proved short-lived as back roared the Ospreys within a few minutes, winger Dirksen finding his way over the line after the home side had initially done well to thwart scrum-half Brendon Leonard, who had exploited the numbers game by raiding down the blindside of a scrum.

Bigger, who scored 20 points in the first meeting between the two clubs that ended 25-13 to the Ospreys, slotted the additional extras to restore parity with just seven minutes on the clock.

Undeterred, though, the Chiefs quickly got themselves back onto the offensive and, just as they had done earlier in the contest, they stung the Welsh region with some real high tempo attack.

Scrum-half Dave Lewis set the tone bursting clear with a mazy run, before Michele Campagnaro took up the charge to get the Chiefs within sight of the target. With the try-line once again beckoning, the home pack again took charge, inching their way forward for Waldrom to burrow over for try number two, again converted by the reliable Steenson.

It was no more than the Chiefs deserved for a breathtaking opening quarter and they looked to press home their ascendancy as the half continued.

Italian Campagnaro was a real livewire, as was winger Short, whose catch from one particular high ball had the Sandy Park faithful roaring with the approval.

But as the Chiefs pressed forward in attack, looking for further bounty, they were thwarted either by some resolute defence from the visitors or an over exuberance on their part to force a key offload.

Chances came and went like buses on Topsham Road, but there was to be no further change on the scoreboard as the two rivals departed for the half time break.

Indeed, the only real note of action late in the half was the sight of both Jack Yeandle and Geoff Parling departing following a clash of heads. Thankfully, the former returned before the half was up, but England international Parling was withdrawn from the remainder of the match.

HALF TIME EXETER CHIEFS 14 OSPREYS 7

Now with the elements in their favour, the Ospreys knew they needed a strong start of their own to the half if they were to keep alive their own European qualification hopes.

As it was, the visitors did start brightly and having threatened early doors, their efforts were finally rewarded when thew Chiefs were pulled up by French referee Jerome Garces for not rolling away in front of their own posts. Up stepped Welsh international Biggar to reduce the deficit to just four points.

However, any hopes of a Welsh revival were soon dashed as first they lost hooker Scott Baldwin to a yellow card for a late hit on Waldrom, before Short applied a sublime finish for Exeter’s third try of the game.

With little seemingly on when Steenson collected centre field, the Irishman looked up, chipped the ball over the top and picked out the onrushing Short, who collected at pace before turning on the after burners to out sprint Justin Tipuric to the line.

It was rich reward for Short, who then doubled his tally with an equally impressive finish, this time dotting down after Waldrom and Phil Dollman had created the opening for him to fend off Biggar and cross once more in the left-hand corner.

Bonus point secure and now with plenty of breathing room, this was now the opportunity for the Chiefs to show their ruthless side. With the job effectively done and dusted in their eyes, they made light of leaking a converted penalty try to finish with a bang.

The forwards, urged on by another crowd in excess of 11,000, once more did the donkey work, before replacement Haydn Thomas took charge, creating the platform for Waldrom to burrow over for his 10th try of the campaign. Will Hooley banged over the conversion and all the Chiefs could do was wait for the final whistle.

In the stands, though, news was coming through of events at the Stade Marcel Michelin where Clermont were now trailing to rivals Bordeaux-Begles. For years such a strong hold for the infamous ‘Yellow Army’ - it seemed somewhat unlikely that the visitors had clawed their way back having trailed significantly early in the match.

As it was, the men from France’s famous wine region were now in front and, crucially, denying the home side of the all-important bonus point. Morgan Parra was afforded a late opportunity when Clermont gained a penalty in front of the visiting posts, but instead of landing what would have been a decisive blow, instead he tapped quickly and was engulfed by a plethora of Bordeaux defenders, who were desperate to withstand the late rally.

This they did with gusto and as the final whistle blew either side of the Channel, it was Baxter’s side who ultimately prevailed, booking themselves a late eight meeting with former champions and Premiership rivals Wasps in April.

Chiefs: P Dollman; O Woodburn, M Campagnaro (M Bodilly 62), I Whitten, J Short; G Steenson (W Hooley 69), D Lewis (H Thomas 62); A Hepburn (B Moon 59), J Yeandle (capt, E Taione 32-38, 71), A Brown (H Williams 62); J Hill, G Parling (O Atkins 32); K Horstmann (T Johnson 75), D Armand, T Waldrom.

Tries - Horstmann, Waldrom (2), Short (2); Conversions - Steenson (3), Hooley

Ospreys: D Evans (S Parry 50-59); H Dirksen (S Davies 21), J Spratt (O Watkin 66), J Matavesi, E Walker; D Biggar, B Leonard (T Habberfield 67); P James (N Smith 58), S Baldwin (S Parry 69), D Arhip (A Jarvis 54); L Ashley (R Thornton 29), A-W Jones (capt, R Thornton 21-24); S Underhill (D Baker 62), J Tipuric, J King.

Tries - Dirksen, Penalty Try; Conversions - Biggar (2); Penalty - Biggar

Yellow Card: Baldwin

Referee: J Garces (Fra)

Attendance: 11,450