Exeter Chiefs 43 Royal Navy 28

On a perfect night for rugby, the Chiefs - who were able to field long-term absentees, Iestyn Harris, Marcus Street and Ollie Devoto in their starting line-up - started brightly and took just three minutes to open their account as Kiwi prop Iosefa-Scott drove over following some sustained home pressure.

To their credit, the Navy struck back within ten minutes, claiming the lead when hooker Williams found his way over the whitewash from a well-drilled, catch-and-drive line-out. Jordan Gott slotted the extras.

That, however, would be as good as it got for the Navy in the first half. Scrum-half Jay Toogood was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on and in his absence, his team-mates struggled as first Frankie Nowell crossed in the corner, only to be denied for a forward pass by Devoto.

Then, Devoto and young playmaker Joe Randall combined to set Feyi-Waboso on the charge. Still with plenty to do, the young speedster showed a clean pair of heels to a string of Navy defenders to race in under the posts for the score.

With half time approaching, the Chiefs extended their lead when the impressive Devoto looped a pass to Nowell wide on the right - and as he drew in the cover, a simple offload allowed Tuima to extend the home side’s advantage with another converted score.

Not done there, the home side bagged a fourth score when, following more concerted pressure, they worked the opening for Argentine full-back Cordero to sneak his way over.

HALF TIME: EXETER CHIEFS 24    ROYAL NAVY 7

There was to be no let-up from the Chiefs in front of a crowd of almost 2,000 spectators. They continued to boss proceedings all over the park and were rewarded firstly when replacement prop Morris burrowed his way over from close range; then another scintillating run from Feyi-Waboso carved open the Navy defences and over raced James for an easy score.

Up by 36 points, the Chiefs took the opportunity to allow their bench to glean some much-needed game time at senior level. With an array of talent from the club’s Under-18s side, as well as some guest players from local clubs, it was the Navy - who themselves brought on fresh stock late on - who prospered in the final quarter.

Firstly, they cut the deficit with a penalty try, which also saw home No.8 Rus Tuima yellow-carded, then they struck further when replacement hooker Wright peeled off the back off a well-constructed line-out drive to score a third try.

The Navy’s greater strength and togetherness clearly showed as they fashioned another opening for Wright to claim his second in the dying embers of the match.

Chiefs: F Cordero; F Nowell (B Wiggington 63), Z Wimbush, O Devoto (J Tuima 40), I Feyi-Waboso; J Randall (B Coen 64), O James (M Stone 63); J Iosefa-Scott (T Gulley 71), I Harris (G Edson 57), M Street (J Morris 24); C Teague (B Elderkin 77), J Bailey (T Bradner 58); R Edbrooke, B Elderkin (R Tuima 71), R Tuima (L Mazwana 63).

Tries - Iosefa-Scott, Feyi-Waboso, Tuima, Cordero, Wimbush, Morris, James; Conversions - James (4)