Canny Baxter looks like he’s found another gem

By MARK STEVENS

Exeter ………… 46pts

Tries: Brown-Bampoe 13, 36, 38, Vermeulen 26, Wimbush 29, Woodburn 32, Rigg 57, Dorrell 71

Conversions: Skinner 37, 40, 58

C Pirates ……… 24pts

Tries: Relton 26, Nelson 61, Yates 67, Price-Thomas 76

Conversions: Houston 26, Jenkins 76

Over the years Rob Baxter has had an uncanny knack of unearthing hidden gems from out of nowhere.

Just 12 months ago, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was thrown into the spotlight by the Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby after honing his skills on loan in the National League with Taunton Titans.

Fast forward to present day and it appears he’s done it again, this time in the form of Paul Brown-Bampoe, who helped himself to a hat-trick of tries as the Chiefs saw off the Cornish Pirates in the second fixture of the day at Sandy Park.

Like Feyi-Waboso, the 22-year-old flyer has arrived in Devon via the BUCS Rugby route with Durham University and his treble was the undoubted highlight for the Chiefs in a contest in which they were the dominant force throughout.

Brown-Bampoe put the hosts in front inside five minutes, scorching his way over after good build-up play from Harvey Skinner and Dan John.

Skipper Jacques Vermeulen then doubled their tally, the South African fInishing off a slaloming run from hooker Dan Frost.

Having held their own for much of the opening half-hour, the Pirates finally got themselves up and running when winger Arthur Relton cleverly intercepted a pass from Greg Fisilau to race in unopposed under the home posts.

It was, however, a rare moment of joy for the visitors as they were stung by four home tries in just nine minutes before the break.

Centre Zack Wimbush claimed the first, finishing off a brilliant flip back inside from Olly Woodburn, who then got in on the scoring act himself, rounding off a slick attack in the left corner.

Exeter’s ruthless streak showed no sign of abating and with the half drawing to a close, Brown-Bampoe hit the Pirates with a rapid ‘one-two’ to seal his hat-trick.

With replacements aplenty littering the second half, so the flow of the contest began to fade somewhat. The Chiefs, though, continued to rule the roost, adding another score through Will Rigg, who showed a fine turn of speed to chase down his own kick from just inside his own half.

To their credit, the Pirates refused to go quietly, their efforts rewarded with tries from Morgan Nelson, Harry Yates and Iwan Price-Thomas in a spirited show of defiance.

At the other end, replacement Lucas Dorrell stole over from close range to seal success for the Chiefs.