Gutsy Cheetahs slump to Exeter
MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs fought hard but ultimately went down 12-42 to Exeter at Sandy Park in their Challenge Cup clash.
The Cheetahs showed a lot of guts, but were ultimately outclassed by one of the England Premiership giants.
The visitors were outscored six tries to two and have a mountain to climb before their Round Two fixture against Stade Francais.
*To recap all the action, CLICK HERE!
Exeter opened their account in the fourth minute through Wallaby centre Len Ikitau after applying sustained pressure on the visitors. Henry Slade added the extras.
The hosts dotted down for another score through No.8 Greg Fisilau on the 20-minute mark through a rolling maul after poor discipline by the Cheetahs. Slade slotted the conversion.
The Cheetahs struck back through fullback Micheal Annies in the 24th minute after a good build-up involving Prince Nkabinde and De-an Ackermann, converted by Jaco van der Walt.
Exeter extended their lead with a try in the 30th minute by Harvey Skinner, converted by Slade.
The hosts secured the bonus-point try in the 37th minute through former Wallaby and current Samoa prop Scott Sio as Slade kept his 100 percent record intact from the tee.
Another try, thanks to a beautiful crossfield kick by Skinner to Slade on the stroke of half-time gave the hosts a 28-point lead at the break following the try scorer’s conversion.
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The Cheetahs struck first in the second half in the 44th minute through Munier Hartzenberg after a solid build-up.
It took a while, but Exeter hit the 40-point mark with a try in the 57th minute through England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, and Slade kept his record off the boot intact.
The Cheetahs defended well since that score, but couldn’t make their opportunities count as the hosts walked away with the full-house of points.
Scorers
For Exeter:
Tries: Ikitau, Fisilau, Skinner, Sio, Slade, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
Cons: Slade 6
For the Cheetahs:
Tries: Annies, Hartzenberg
Cons: Van der Walt
Teams
Exeter: 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 (captain), 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.
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 (captain), 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.
Referee: Benoit Rousselet (France)
Assistant referees: Pierre Bru (France), Thomas Chereque (France)
TMO: Denis Grenouillet (France)
