Exeter Chiefs welcomed Vodacom Bulls in the Heineken Champions Cup on Saturday and completely overpowered and bullied their visitors to score a comprehensive 44-14 bonus point win.
Exeter Chiefs dominated the Vodacom Bulls physically from the word go. Although the Vodacom Bulls scored the first try Exeter Chiefs was patient in building pressure on the visitors and scored two tries of their own. Ill discipline from the Vodacom Bulls helped the hosts to set up camp in the Vodacom Bulls 22m, the Vodacom Bulls concede 6 penalties in the first quarter.
Exeter Chiefs continued to dominate during the second quarter leading 32-07 going into the second half with the bonus point also already in the bag.
Exeter Chiefs continued their dominance, however, the game is busy losing its structure which should suit the Vodacom Bulls' attacking mindset. Exeter Chiefs was still leading 44-14 and on their way to an easy win.
The last quarter lost most of its structure and although were looking a lot better with ball in hand, however, no points were scored during this period. Exeter Chiefs dominated their visitors to beat them 44-14.
Scorers:
Exeter Chiefs: Tries: Dave Ewers, Luke Cowan-Dickie (3), Henry Slade, Solomone Kata. Conversions: Joe Simmonds (4). Penalty: Joe Simmonds (2).
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Stravino Jacobs, Chris Smit. Conversions: Morné Steyn (2).
As it happened:
03:48 Joe Simmonds converted a penalty for Exeter Chiefs. (03-00)
06:00 The Vodacom Bulls struck back immediately when Stravino Jacobs cut the defence of the Exeter Chiefs in two to score the Vodacom Bulls' first points with a converted try. (03-07)
10:51 Exeter struck back when Dave Ewers is helped over the tryline by several Exeter Chiefs players following a 5m tao-and-go. (10-07)
15:31 Luke Cowan-Dickie scored Exeter Chiefs' second try from the back of a 5m lineout-maul. (15-07)
30:10 Luke Cowan-Dickie scored his second try for Exeter Chiefs from the back of a 5m lineout-maul. (22-07)
35:54 Henry Slade scored Exeter Chiefs' fourth try. Exeter Chiefs' physical dominance and great interplay between their forwards and backs secured their bonus point try as Slade danced his way over. (29-07)
39:55 Joe Simmonds converted a penalty for Exeter Chiefs. (32-07)
44:52 Luke Cowan-Dickie scored his hat-trick try from a 5m tap and go. (39-07)
54:22 Chris Smit scored the Vodacom Bulls' second try after controlling a kick from Morné Steyn. (39-14)
55:50 Exeter Chiefs struck back immediately as Solomone Kata scored their sixth try. Once again great interplay by Exeter Chiefs and a "suspect" defence from the Vodacom Bulls. (44-14)
74:47 Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs) was shown a yellow card.
Teams:
Exeter Chiefs: 15. Stuart Hogg, 14. Jack Nowell, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Rory O’Loughlin, 11. Olly Woodburn, 10. Joe Simmonds, 9. Sam Maunder, 8. Sam Simmonds, 7. Christ Tshiunza, 6. Dave Ewers, 5. Jonny Gray, 4. Dafydd Jenkins, 3. Harry Williams, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (c), 1. Scott Sio. Replacements: 16. Jack Yeandle, 17. Alec Hepburn, 18. Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19. Ruben van Heerden, 20. Santiago Grondona, 21. Will Becconsall, 22. Solomone Kata, 23. Josh Hodge.
Vodacom Bulls: 15. Wandisile Simelane, 14. Sibongile Novuka, 13. Stedman Gans, 12. Chris B Smith, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 10. Morné Steyn (c), 9. Bernard van der Linde, 8. Muller Uys, 7. WJ Steenkamp, 6. Nizaam Carr, 5. Janko Swanepoel, 4. Reinhardt Ludwig, 3. Jacques van Rooyen, 2. Bismarck Du Plessis, 1. Dylan Smith. Replacements: 16. Joe van Zyl, 17. Lizo Gqoboka, 18. Sebastian Lombard, 19. Cameron Hanekom, 20. Phumzile Maqondwana, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Carlton Banies, 23. Juan Mostert.
