Exeter move into the top 4
It was a glorious afternoon for rugby in the Devon sunshine as the Exeter Chiefs were back in Premiership action against Sale Sharks off the back of their Premiership cup final defeat the week before.
Chiefs started like a team with top four ambitions as they scored a try in the 4th minute of the game courtesy of Stephen Varney after some good handwork from Ross Vintcent, Henry Slade missed the subsequent conversion which flew just shy of the left post.
Campbell Ridl scored a try on the eleventh minute after making good space and this time Slade converted putting the Chiefs 12-0 up.
Sharks started to come into the game more as the game progressed. They earnt their first points of the match in the 21st minute by a try from their captain Ernst Van Rhyn and Rob du Preez converted from close range afterwards making it 12-7.
The visitor's persistence continued as they camped inside the chiefs 22 metre line.
Against the run of play, a Paul Brown-Bampoe burst into the opposition's half opened up space to which he found a lone Olly Woodburn who scored a simple try. Slade added the extras giving Exeter a 12-point cushion again.
Half time: Exeter Chiefs 19-7 Sale Sharks
It was a fast start to the second half with Sale quickly setting into the Chiefs half of the pitch and scoring a try within a minute as Dan du Preez bundled over the line. The aforementioned converted swiftly after to close the gap.
At the midpoint of the half, it became a more even affair until Brown-Bampoe showed his pace once again from a set piece try after a slick pass from Varney in the middle of the field. The conversion under the posts was also good.
Exeter replacement Goodrick-Clarke was unable to continue in the final ten minutes of the game which brought Scott Sio back into play off the bench.
There were some difficult scenes near the end of the match as Sale’s Willgriff John suffered a nasty looking head injury which caused an eight-minute stoppage of play.
Ultimately, the Chiefs had too much defensively for Sale, further strengthening their chance of a top 4 league finish come the end of the season.
Full time: Exeter Chiefs 26-14 Sale Sharks
Attendance: 9,007
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