Exeter Chiefs beat London Wasps and look set for Heineken Cup

Exeter Chiefs are in prime position to qualify for the Heineken Cup next season after a 37-24 bonus-point win against London Wasps at Adams Park.
The Devon side scored four tries to climb to sixth place in the table overtaking Bath, who are still in the race after their shock win against Leicester yesterday, and only three points behind next week’s opponents Gloucester.
For Wasps however, their sixth consecutive league defeat means they will miss out on an Heineken Cup place despite making their way in the Top 4 earlier this year.
Both side built up this game as a Cup final for the last qualifying spot all week but Wasps were nowhere near accurate enough at the breakdown while leaving huge gaps in their defensive line for Gareth Steenson and the Chiefs runners to break the line almost at will around the ruck.
Exeter were in control for most of the game taking their opportunities well when in the opposition 22 to keep the scoreboard ticking over putting Wasps out of reach early in the second half.
Stephen Jones had the opportunity to put Wasps on the board in the first minute but his poor attempt at goal went wide from right in front.
Instead, it was Elliot Daly who got the Men in Black going with a monster penalty from the half-way line.
Steenson leveled the score with a penalty of his own before hooker Jack Yeandle went over from close range for the first try of the game.
The Irish fly-half converted and the Chiefs were 10-3 in front after 13 minutes.
England U20 flyer Jack Nowell, above, took the lead to 17-3 bursting through the defensive line after a clever inside pass from James Scaysbrook.
Steenson added a penalty before Christian Wade scored a superb trademark solo try to comeback within ten points at the break.
Damian Welch exploited the gaps in the Wasps’ defence to score the Chiefs third try one minute into the second half but Wasps were handed a lifeline when Scaysbrook was shown yellow card for a professional foul near the line.
The home side opted for the scrum and following a couple of phases replacement full-back Hugo Southwell scored in the corner.
The game started to open up a bit for Wasps but Hayden Thomas sealed the win and the try bonus-point just before the hour mark.
Steenson kicked his third penalty as the visitors controlled the end of the game despite Tom Varndell’s 13th try of the campaign on the last play.
For London Wasps
Tries: Wade, Southwell, Varndell
Conversions: St. Jones 2, T. Bell
Penalty: Daly
For Exeter
Tries: Yeandle, Nowell, Welch, Thomas
Conversions: Steenson 4
Penalties: Steenson 3
Sin bin: Scaysbrook
London Wasps: Daly; Wade, Masi, C. Bell (Capt.), Varndell; St. Jones, Simpson; Taulafo, Thomas, Swainston; Palmer, Launchbury; Johnson, Haskell, Vunipola.
Replacements: Lindsay, Taylor, McIntyre, Wentzel, Sa. Jones, Davies, T. Bell, Southwell.
Exeter: Arscott; Nowell, Dollman, Shoemark, Jess; Steenson, Thomas; Sturgess, Yeandle, Tui; Mumm, Welch; White, Scaysbrook, Baxter (Capt.).
Replacements: Whitehead, Rimmer, Mitchell, Muldowney, Ewers, Chudley, Slade, Whitten.
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Star man: Gareth Steenson – Exeter Chiefs
NICK VERDIER