Chiefs 42 Bears 24
Exeter Chiefs 42
Bristol Bears 24
Mark Stevens at Sandy Park
In what has been another testing week for many within Premiership Rugby, it ended with a glimpse into the future here at Sandy Park.
For some time the Exeter production line has been churning out the next generation of Chiefs fit for top-flight duty. Today, the 6,000-strong crowd were given an insight into the latest batch of young talent emerging through the ranks here in Devon.
With Wasps a ‘no-show’ due to their current financial plight, the Chiefs moved swiftly to arrange an alternative fixture for those who still wanted to get their fix of weekend rugby. Thanks to near neighbours Bristol Bears, on-field action was duly provided and what a spectacle it turned out to be in the end.
The Chiefs - who had already downed the Bears twice this season in competitive battle - made it a hat-trick of victories with another stellar showing, which provided tries for Tom Cairns, Arthur Relton, Tom Wyatt, Joe Bailey, Max Norey and Lewis Pearson.
Fly-half Will Becconsall did the rest of the damage for the home side, producing a flawless goal kicking display.
In reply, the Bears offered a creditable threat throughout and their own efforts were rewarded with a brace of scores for Aaron Thompson, as well as touchdowns for Oscar Lennon and Maccenzie Duncan.
It was, however, the Chiefs who ruled the roost throughout and on a glorious day in the Westcountry, they quickly set their attacking stall out against their nearest and dearest.
Full-back Dan John instigated the game’s first real chance on seven minutes, the diminutive Welshman slaloming his way down the right flank to release Pearson through the middle. The lumbering lock made good yards deep into the Bears 22, but support was slow in coming and he was eventually penalised for holding on just yards from the Bristol try-line.
Undeterred, the Chiefs continued to pile forward in numbers and just minutes later they did finally make the breakthrough when a well-rehearsed switch move off a line-out released Tom Wyatt on the burst - and as he drew in the cover, his simple offload allowed scrum-half Cairns to scamper over for the first try.
Up and running, the Chiefs then looked to build on their early score. Bristol, though, were more than happy to mix in the forward exchanges, whilst out wide they had key threats in the form of Ioan Lloyd, Deago Bailey and Toby Fricker.
On occasions they craftily opened up the Chiefs with some slick attacking moves, but they were guilty of coughing up possession easily under some heavy defensive duties from the home side.
By the half-hour mark, it was the Chiefs who were back on the offensive and doubling their tally. Cairns, John and the impressive Rus Tuima were all involved in the build-up that allowed Relton to storm over from inside the Bears 22.
Down by two converted scores, the Bears were certainly in need of a pick-me-up before the interval. However, they got the medicine they craved when - from a five-metre line-out - they used their powerful pack to work the opening for hooker Thompson to squirm over in the right corner.
Even then, there was still time for one final chance of the half for the Chiefs. Having collected possession deep inside his own 22, little appeared to be on for John as he set off a rate of knots. However, as he sped his way down field, his fancy footwork saw him evade a clutch of Bristol defenders to get his side on the front foot. Again, though, support was not close to hand and the golden opportunity came and went as quickly as it came.
HALF TIME: EXETER CHIEFS 14 BRISTOL BEARS 5
Now with the strong breeze at their backs, it was obvious the Chiefs would look to use the elements to pin their rivals back at every opportunity. Becconsall did that with virtually his first kick after the restart - and it helped positioned the home side deep behind enemy lines.
Although the Bears were able to repel the initial raid, when the Chiefs threatened again, this time through another huge carry from No.8 Tuima, the home side worked quickly to recycle the ball to the left and there was Wyatt who did the rest with an easy finish.
Becconsall added the extras to that score and Exeter’s fourth on 54 minutes. Skipper Jack Innard caught the Bears napping with a quick tap penalty, before his fellow forwards rumbled their way round the corner a couple of times to set-up Bailey, the young lock, for his first score in club colours.
Bristol, however, were refusing to go quietly and having cut the deficit with a second Thompson try from close range, they sensed the moment was there for them to haul themselves back into contention.
The Chiefs had other ideas and with Tuima again at the heart of things, powering his way through the collisions, they used the quick ball created to fashion the opening for replacement Norey to crash over unopposed.
Up by 23 points on the scoreboard, the game was effectively done and dusted as it headed towards the final quarter. The Chiefs, though, would finish the game with just 14 men when prop Matt Johnson was dismissed for a ‘clothesline’ tackle in midfield.
With the man advantage, the Bears made their numerical advantage tell inside a few minutes as a chip kick over the advancing Exeter backline from James Williams was gathered up and shipped into the path of Lennon, who won’t get an easier score all season.
Williams tried the same move moments later, but this time the Chiefs read the script and were able to mop up the danger without too many issues. However, with time fast running out, the visitors were able to create quick ball for Williams, whose smart cross-field kick was mopped up by Duncan for a score in the left corner.
If that was it for the day, few could have argued at the on-field action they had seen. It was impressive stuff from the young Chiefs. They were, however, far from finished and with the clock in the red, they added the coupe de grace late on as replacements Orson James turned provider for Pearson to charge in under the sticks. Becconsall duly wrapped up the match with his sixth successful conversion.
Job done, it was fitting that the youngsters were afforded a standing ovation by not only the crowd, but their senior counterparts, all of whom were in attendance in and around the ground to say a special thanks to the ever-loyal ‘Chiefs Family.’
Chiefs: D John (S Cornish 60); A Relton, S O’Brien (C Ribbons 43), T Wyatt, F Cordero; W Becconsall, T Cairns (O James 75); D Southworth (H Wilkinson 71), J Innard (capt, T Gulley 79), M Johnson; L Pearson, J Bailey; B Grubb (M Norey 55), S Grondona (O Leatherbarrow 17, R Vintcent 52), R Tuima. Replacement (not used): B Joseland.
Tries - Cairns, Relton, Wyatt, Bailey, Norey, Pearson; Conversions - Becconsall (6)
Red Card: Johnson
Bears: T Fricker (J Lloyd 60); D Bailey, J Jenkins, I Lloyd, H Rowson (H Ascherl 40); J Williams, O Lennon (P Carter 75); A Benz-Salomon, A Thompson (T Sims 71), G Kloska (R Charalambous 26, A Turner 75); M Eames, E Holmes (capt); J Owen (R Nixon 63), M Duncan, A Tull (J Holcombe 55).
Tries - Thompson (2), Lennon, Duncan; Conversion - Williams (2)
Referee: C Gayther
Attendance: 6,289