Exeter claim bonus-point win over Warriors
CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Exeter gave a stirring second half show to wipe out a three-point deficit and run-out comfortable 34-18 winners over injury hit Glasgow in Pool Two of the Champions Cup.
The Warriors led 13-10 at the break after a spirited opening which saw Nick Grigg charge over after great approach work from Tommy Seymour. Adam Hastings was also on target with two penalties and a conversion.
Exeter were slow off the mark but after Joe Simmonds settled nerves with a penalty they posted their opening try just before the half-hour mark when Jonny Hill showed his power from close range.
Glasgow had given as good as they got up to the break but were knocked off their stride two minutes into the second period when Exeter’s Jack Nowell cut through in style and England colleague Henry Slade was up in support for the finishing touch.
Before the hour mark Sam Simmonds ended a period of home domination with a powerful finish from a driving maul as injuries started to take their toll on Glasgow.
A backline reshuffle followed when winger Daniel van der Merwe limped off and Exeter immediately capitalised as a dazzling three-quarter move ended with Slade chipping over the defence for Tom O’Flaherty to scoop up and dive in at the corner for the bonus point.
Glasgow’s misery was complete when Kiran McDonald was yellow carded for an offence off the ball and the accurate boot of Joe Simmonds struck again.
The Warriors only consolation came in the dying seconds when Tommy Seymour was held short on the right but the ball was spun to the opposite flank for George Turner to stroll over.
Exeter visit Sale in their next Pool Two game on Sunday, December 8 while Glasgow visit La Rochelle the previous day.
The scorers:
For Exeter Chiefs:
Tries: Hill, Slade, S Simmonds, O’Flaherty
Cons: J Simmonds 4
Pens: J Simmonds 2
For Glasgow Warriors:
Tries: Grigg, Turner
Con: Hastings
Pens: Hastings 2
Yellow cards: Kiran McDonald (Warriors, 67); Sam Simmonds (Chiefs, 71)
Teams:
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ian Whitten, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Nic White, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Dave Dennis, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Jack Yeandle (captain), 1 Alec Hepburn.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Marcus Street, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Don Armand, 21 Jack Maunder, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Sam Hill.
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Tommy Seymour, 14 Ratu Tagive, 13 Nick Grigg, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 George Horne, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Chris Fusaro, 6 Ryan Wilson (captain), 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Rob Harley, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Fraser Brown, 1 Oli Kebble.
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Alex Allan, 18 D’arcy Rae, 19 Kiran McDonald, 20 Tom Gordon, 21 Ali Price, 22 Pete Horne, 23 Kyle Steyn.
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
Assistant referees: Maxime Chalon (France), Jonathan Dufort (France)
TMO: Éric Gauzins (France)
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