Chiefs reach Champions Cup quarter-finals
Exeter Chiefs 33 Ospreys 17: Match report.
And so the European adventure continues for Exeter Chiefs following an unbelievable final round of action in Pool Two of this season’s Champions Cup.
Seemingly with a mountain to climb ahead of kick-off, Rob Baxter’s side dug deep not only to see off the Ospreys with a five-try blast, but at the same time preserve their lengthy home record.
Exeter’s 33-17 victory will live long in the minds of those who packed into Sandy Park, whilst for those watching on TV at home, the viewing was equally compelling as they advanced to the last eight of Europe’s top competition for the first time.
Two tries apiece from James Short and Thomas Waldrom, plus another from Kai Horstmann, were the key highlights for the men from Devon, but all-round it was a stunning display from a team who never known when they are beaten.
Top of the table heading into the final clash, the Ospreys countered with converted tries from Hanno Dirksen and a Penalty Try, whilst Dan Biggar also slotted a second half penalty Undone in Bordeaux the previous week, Baxter again rotated his squad for the visit of the Welshmen, who themselves had arrived in Devon brimming with confidence following their home win over Clermont Auvergne that put them to the top of Pool Two.
Having made 13 changes in personnel for the trip across the Channel seven days earlier, only six remained in place for this final outing of the pool. Back came a number of Exeter’s frontline stars, several of whom were involved in the home side’s opening try which arrived after just three minutes.
A rapid opening from the Chiefs saw them quickly set up camp within the Ospreys half and having won a penalty, it was the quick-thinking of Waldrom that caught the visitors napping in defence.
His burst propelled Exeter at pace towards the line where, following a series of close-in raids, it was Armand who emerged from the mass of bodies to celebrate the opening try, which Steenson converted with aplomb from wide on the right touchline.
Home cheers, however, proved short-lived as back roared the Ospreys within a few minutes, winger Dirksen finding his way over the line after the home side had initially done well to thwart scrum-half Brendon Leonard, who had exploited the numbers game by raiding down the blindside of a scrum.
Bigger, who scored 20 points in the first meeting between the two clubs that ended 25-13 to the Ospreys, slotted the additional extras to restore parity with just seven minutes on the clock.
Undeterred, though, the Chiefs quickly got themselves back onto the offensive and, just as they had done earlier in the contest, they stung the Welsh region with some real high tempo attack.
Scrum-half Dave Lewis set the tone bursting clear with a mazy run, before Michele Campagnaro took up the charge to get the Chiefs within sight of the target.
With the try-line once again beckoning, the home pack again took charge, inching their way forward for Waldrom to burrow over for try number two, again converted by the reliable Steenson.
It was no more than the Chiefs deserved for a breathtaking opening quarter and they looked to press home their ascendancy as the half continued. Italian Campagnaro was a real livewire, as was winger Short, whose catch from one particular high ball had the Sandy Park faithful roaring with the approval.
But as the Chiefs pressed forward in attack, looking for further bounty, they were thwarted either by some resolute defence from the visitors or an over exuberance on their part to force a key offload.
Chances came and went like buses on Topsham Road, but there was to be no further change on the scoreboard as the two rivals departed for the half time break.
Indeed, the only real note of action late in the half was the sight of both Jack Yeandle and Geoff Parling departing following a clash of heads. Thankfully, the former returned before the half was up, but England international Parling was withdrawn from the remainder of the match.
Half time: Exeter Chiefs 14 Ospreys 7
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