A strong first half by the Exeter Chiefs, in which they scored an impressive five tries to one, paved the way for the English club to outplay the Toyota Cheetahs 42-12 at Sandy Park on Sunday, getting their EPCR Challenge Cup campaign off to a strong footing.
The Exeter Chiefs made a strong statement from the outset, scoring their first try within the first five minutes as they spread the ball out wide, and they added their second five-pointer from a rolling maul in the 20th minute before the Toyota Cheetahs hit back with their first try in the 23rd minute by Michael Annies to trail by 14-7.
This, however, was short-lived as the hosts finished the half on fire with their expansive attack and strong forward play paying off with another three tries within the short space of 11 minutes, to enter the break 35-7 ahead.
The visitors had the first say in the second half as Munier Hartzenberg dotted down for their second try, but Exter added their sixth try minutes later to stretch their lead to 42-12.
The Toyota Cheetahs fought tooth and nail to force their way back into the match in a competitive closing quarter, but the damage inflicted early on by the hosts was simply too much, while they stood their ground on defence, despite several efforts by the Toyota Cheetahs to breach the defence and get close to their tryline. And in the end, it was a case of bitter disappointment for the Free State outfit, who had to settle for the 30-point defeat.
Teams
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Ben Hammersley, 14 Olly Woodburn, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Charlie Chapman, 8 Greg Fisilau, 7 Ethan Roots, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 3 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 2 Jack Yeandle, 1 Scott Sio. Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 18 Jimmy Roots, 19 Lewis Pearson, 20 Kane James, 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Will Haydon-Wood, 23 Dan John.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Michael Annies, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 De-an Ackermann, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 8 Gideon van der Merwe, 7 Juan Venter, 6 Pierre Uys, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen (c), 1 Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Tielman Nieuwoudt, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Sisonke Vumazonke, 20 Neels Volschenk, 21 Daniel Maarten, 22 Jandré Nel, 23 Cohen Jasper.
