Young Chiefs thump London Welsh in LV opener
The young Chiefs dominated the first act but went into the break one point behind as Gordon Ross kicked three penalties to answer a try from Will Carrick-Smith.
Exeter went up a gear in the second half though and London Welsh, who were probably thinking about their Premiership season rather than the Cup, couldn’t live with them.
The Exiles’ line didn’t put any pressure on the opposition and they missed too many tackles to see the visitors score four tries in the last quarter of the game sealed the deal for the Chiefs.
Ross and Henry Slade exchanged penalties to see the home side lead 6-3 in front before young lock Carrick-Smith went over to put the visitors in front on the half hour mark.
But it was London Welsh who were leading at the break following Ross’ third penalty of the game.
The visitors didn’t panic though and they went back in front with ten points in the first ten minutes of the second half, a lead they were going to keep for the rest of the game.
Slade kicked a penalty before winger Mark Foster went over to give the Chiefs a 18-9 lead with half an hour to go.
But true to custom, London Welsh didn’t give up the fight and they closed the gap to only three points following two penalties in quick succession from Ross.
But Exeter found another gear and they took the game away with relentless carries through the middle by the forwards.
Once the defenders were drawn in, they went wide and scored tries.
Full-back Jack Nowell went in first before frenchman Nic Sestaret barged his way in from close range to secure the try-bonus point with ten minutes to go.
But they didn’t stop there and Sestaret went over soon after before Nowell also grabbed his double with three minutes to go to complete the rout.
Relive all the action from the game here.
For London Welsh
Conversion: Ross 5
For Exeter
Tries: Carrick-Smith, Foster, Nowell 2, Sestaret 2
Conversions: Slade 3
Penalties: Slade 2
London Welsh: Arscott; Voyce, Parker, Jewell, Scott; Ross, Runciman; Montanella, Briggs, Bateman; Mills (capt.), Purdy; Browne, Denbee, Beach.
Replacements: George, Bristow, Tideswell, Brown, Balding, Davies, Lewis, Ajuwa.
Exeter: Nowell; Arnott, Sestaret, Dorrian, Foster; Slade, Poluleuligaga (capt.); Moon, Clark, Budgen; Welch, Carrick-Smith; Conlon, Blanchet, Ewers.
Replacements: Yeandle, Cowan-Dickie, Tui, Gray, Simmonds, Coote, Hill, Pope.
Star Man: Jack Nowell – Exeter
NICK VERDIER
