Chiefs 24 Warriors 15
Exeter Chiefs 24
Glasgow Warriors 15
Mark Stevens at Sandy Park
Rob Baxter had called for his Exeter Chiefs side to “stand and deliver” and they did just that as they kicked off their European Champions Cup campaign with a hard fought victory over Glasgow Warriors at Sandy Park.
Tries from forwards Harry Williams, Jonny Hill and Sam Simmonds paved the way for Exeter’s success in this Pool 3 opener, while Gareth Steenson completed the job by adding a further nine points with the boot.
Exeter’s win - only their second-ever in the first round of the Champions Cup - was certainly a notable scalp against a Warriors side, who arrived in Devon having not tasted defeat under new head coach Dave Rennie.
The Scotsman sped into a 10-0 lead thanks to Tommy Seymour’s early converted try and a penalty from Finn Russell, but the remainder of the first half belonged to the Chiefs.
In a nip-and-tuck second half, Lee Jones kept the visitors in contention until late on, but it was Baxter’s side who ultimately prevailed, Simmonds stealing over with two minutes remaining to put the seal on a first class display.
After six weeks of domestic action, Baxter was looking for his side to begin their latest European escapades with a bang. Buoyed by a 34-24 victory over Newcastle Falcons the week previous, the Chiefs didn’t tinker too much with their winning formation.
Up front, Ben Moon and Julian Salvi both came into the pack for Carl Rimmer (on rotation) and Dave Dennis (injured). Behind, the sole change saw Phil Dollman start at full-back with Lachie Turner moving to the wing in the place of the injured Jack Nowell.
Glasgow, meanwhile, arrived in Devon sporting a hugely impressive six from six record in the Guinness Pro14 and they made just two changes to their line-up from that which won against the Cheetahs. Both came in the back division where Peter Horne returned at centre and Lee Jones got the nod on the left wing.
On a crisp, autumnal evening in the Westcountry, it was the visitors who flew out of the traps. The Warriors - playing with a real confidence - set about attacking the English champions from the off, creating a decent platform up front that yielded them the opening points with just six minutes played.
Strong work from Scottish international Zander Ferguson saw him get the better of Moon, thus allowing Russell the chance to slot a 30-metre penalty to put the visitors in front.
Four minutes later and the Warriors were on the scoresheet again, this time playing with a penalty advantage off a line-out, Russell went cross-field with a precision kick and it was British Lions winger Seymour, who leapt like a salmon to pluck the ball out of the night’s sky from Dollman and touch down in the corner for the score, which was converted by Russell from the right flank.
Having talked in the week about starting brightly - the Chiefs have only ever won once in the opening round of Europe’s top club competition - Baxter could hardly believe what he was seeing from his players in what was a distinctively sluggish start from the Devonians.
Up against it, the response from the home side was impressive. Three successive penalties - two of which were five metres out - gave them the necessary field position to set up camp deep behind enemy lines. A series of forward thrusts from the juggernaut Exeter pack had the Warriors scrambling, before one final pick-and-go resulted in England international Williams burrowing his way over for the score, which Steenson duly converted.
The score clearly ignited the Chiefs, who moments later threatened again when Nic White and Ian Whitten made decent inroads into the Glasgow 22, only for winger Olly Woodburn to spill the ball just inches from the visiting try-line.
It was a brief respite for the Scotsmen as the Chiefs nudged in front just before the half-hour mark. Again, the Exeter eight were the dominant force, shunting their rivals back at every opportunity with wave-upon-wave of attacks. It was relentless pressure and - in the end - it proved fruitful for Baxter’s side as the peroxide-blond frame of Hill emerged from the heap of bodies to claim the converted score.
Chances came and went at both ends before the break, Henry Slade pulled off an excellent cover tackle to deny Horne on the break, while White was a constant thorn in the Glasgow side with his sniping around the base of a number of Exeter rucks.
HALF TIME EXETER CHIEFS 14 GLASGOW WARRIORS 10
After a solid first period, the Chiefs were quickly into their stride on the resumption and stretched their lead to seven points when Steenson slotted a penalty inside two minutes after the lively Lachie Turner had been taken out around the neck by Glasgow full-back Ruaridh Jackson.
Glasgow’s response to the setback, however, was immediate as they cut the deficit to just two points. Russell’s clever grubber kick in behind looked to be covered by White just yards from his own line, but under pressure the Australian misfielded the kick, the ball ran loose and it was Warriors winger Jones, who was quickest to pounce, dotting down in the corner.
With little to choose between either side, the two rivals continued to trade blows at either end of the field. The Chiefs twice declined kickable penalties for greater reward in the corner, but on both occasions the Warriors somehow held them at bay and were able to clear the danger.
At the other end, Glasgow were pressing hard in attack themselves. However, the Chiefs - resplendent in their vivid pink Cup kit - were standing firm in defence. A huge hit from Armand summed up the home side’s desire, but there were numerous others who were willing to put their bodies on the line as they looked to preserve their slender lead.
Both sides starting emptying their bench as the scars of battle started to surface all around the field, whilst the frantic pace of the contest was simply unrelenting. Neither side were willing to give an inch, knowing any kind of indiscretion could be punished by a rival opponent.
With ten minutes remaining, the Chiefs were afforded another chance. A huge scrum from the Exeter pack had their rivals careering back at a rate of knots and French referee Alexandre Ruiz had no option but to award the penalty. Steenson opted for posts this time - and although his kick looked good enough initially - right at the death it cannoned off the far post and into the arms of a Warriors defender.
The Chiefs continued to press forward as first Thomas Waldrom - making his first appearance of the season - looked to bulldoze his way through the Scottish line of defence, then Slade threatened again, only to be stripped by an excellent tackle just five metres out.
Once more, the Warriors survived the threat. That was until two minutes from time when the Chiefs piled forward in numbers again, working off cheap turnover ball, they fashioned another opening for their forwards to take charge. As had occurred earlier in the contest, Exeter’s eight formed as one to propel man of the moment Simmonds over for a crucial third try.
Steenson obliged with his third conversion of the night, not only sealing the victory but, more importantly, denying the visitors any reward. In a pool which is sure to go to the wire, such small margins could prove telling in the end outcome.
Chiefs: P Dollman; L Turner (J Short 63), H Slade, I Whitten, O Woodburn; G Steenson, N White (S Townsend 68); B Moon (C Rimmer 63), J Yeandle (capt), H Williams (T Francis 52); M Lees, J Hill (O Atkins 58); D Armand, J Salvi (T Waldrom 63), S Simmonds. Replacements (not used): E Taione, T Hendrickson.
Tries - Williams, J Hill, S Simmonds; Conversions - Steenson (3); Penalty - Steenson
Glasgow: R Jackson; T Seymour, N Grigg (S Johnson 68), P Horne, L Jones (N Matawalu 74), F Russell; A Price (H Pyrgos 64), J Bhatti (A Allan 74), F Brown (G Turner 8), Z Ferguson (D Rae 64), T Swinson, J Gray (S Cummings 59); R Wilson (capt, R Harley 59), C Gibbins, A Ashe.
Tries - Seymour, Jones; Conversion - Russell; Penalty - Russell
Referee: A Ruiz (Fra)
Attendance: 10,672