In his pre-match notes, Tony Rowe spoke of the importance of transferring “our form from the Gallagher Premiership”. Rob Baxter and the Exeter Chiefs were able to deliver such a performance, as his side end the first block of games on top of Pool two.
It was a cagey affair in the first half but, the match opened up for Rob Baxter’s men in the second 40 minutes, to let them run away with things.
Exeter Chiefs 34 – Tries: Hill, Slade, Simmonds, O’Flaherty; Conversions: Simmonds (4); Penalties: Simmonds (2)
Glasgow Warriors 18 – Tries: Grigg, Turner Con: Hastings Pens: Hastings (2)
Fast Start from Glasgow
Despite all the talk in the week about backing up last week’s performance at La Rochelle, it was Glasgow who started the brighter. Early pressure from the visitors caused a lovely break from Tommy Seymour. The center crashed through the middle before linking up with Grigg to score the first try of the day.
Jack Nowell admitted that his side “were a bit edgy” in the first half. However, credit must go to Dave Rennie’s side for a strong start to the match. Although, they were ultimately unable to maintain their momentum.
Exeter build back to clinch points
It felt like it was going to be one of those torrid European days for Exeter. However, they slowly built their way back into the game. First through set-piece dominance that led to a penalty from Simmonds.
Then their size in the close exchanges told as Johnny Hill powered over for the score. Glasgow hit back again though with two scrum penalties to take them back in front at halftime.
Nowell and Slade start second half with a Bang
Jack Nowell x Henry Slade ?@ExeterChiefs‘ England stars combine for a brilliant try!#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/HwyXk8wxBx
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) November 23, 2019
Exeter needed something after half time and boy did they get it in the form of returning England star Henry Slade and Jack Nowell. The center combined with Jack Nowell to score a wonderful try in the 43rd minute.
Describing Nowell’s initial break, head coach Rob Baxter said, “you won’t see another player in England do that”. Seeing Nowell back and fit would have pleased everyone at Sandy Park and most of all the man himself.
"It's been a frustrating six or seven months, but I'm buzzing to be back with the boys!"
A man of the match performance on his first start of the season…
Well in @nowellsy15 👏
Two rounds in, it's two bonus point wins for @ExeterChiefs! pic.twitter.com/BGNmklue2B
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) November 23, 2019
Chiefs then proceeded to manage the game much more effectively. Clever kicks from Stuart Hogg and Slade pinned Glasgow back in their own 22 and forced them to chase the game.
One sharp kick saw Sam Simmonds crashed over in the 54th minute to extend the lead for the home side. His brother added the extras from wide out, to take the score to 24-13. It would require some select words from the Chiefs head coach, and he was pleased with the composure shown by his team when they returned to the field.
“we showed some real composure to do what we did in the second half”
Bonus point win crucial for Chiefs Champions Cup campaign
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The game was sealed in the 59th minute after a wonderful Tom O’Flaherty try. Slade kicked ahead and the flying winger showed great pace and skill to dot down over the line. The importance of the fourth try was not lost on anyone.
From there, things went from bad to worse for the Warriors. On 68 minutes Kiran McDonald was shown a yellow card for an off the ball cheap shot. That all but killed the game off as a contest.
There was a last gasp consolation for Glasgow, as George Turner went in on 79 minutes. It was to no avail though, as Chiefs ran out comfortable 34-18 winners. Collecting the bonus point was the ‘cherry on top’ for all of the attending fans who enjoyed the clash.
Experience and composure key to Chiefs success
Rob Baxter heralded the core of his squad who are now coming into the prime of their careers. Nowell told us that “in the last 3 or 4 years we’ve not performed in these games” and the side wanted to put that right.
“We had to fight today,” said Baxter and he believes it was this experience that caused the performance we saw in the second half.
“we didn’t end up with a team that got panicky and edgy”
Methodical and composed performances like this will be of great excitement to Chief’s fans predictions that, perhaps, it is Exeter’s year in the 2019/20 Champions Cup.
“Main Photo Credit”
