Exeter Chiefs 62 Cardiff Blues 25

Exeter Chiefs rekindled their Anglo-Welsh Cup aspirations by dispatching of visiting Cardiff Blues with a ten-try blast at Sandy Park.

Ricky Pellow’s young charges overcame a shaky start which saw them trailed 10-0 inside the opening four minutes to power past the Welsh region.

Jarrod Evans slotted an early penalty for the Blues, before converting James Sheekey’s try to leave the home faithful somewhat stunned.

Within minutes, Devon’s finest were finding their straps landing the first of their scores thanks to hooker Shaun Malton.

A Penalty Try, plus further scores from Michele Campagnaro, Damian Welch and Sam Simmonds had the Chiefs firmly in command at 31-10 at the turn.

The onslaught continued after the break as Tom Hendrickson, Stuart Townsend, Tom Johnson, Jack Innard and Tom Lawday all got in on the scoring act to please the crowd of nearly 10,000.

Helping to add the gloss to the home side’s showing was fly-half Joe Simmonds, who not only marked his home debut with a man-of-the-match display, but also weighed in with the remainder of the home side’s points with his trusty right boot.

The Blues, to their credit, were much improved after the break and grabbed a losing bonus point thanks to further tries from James Beal and a double from Rhun Williams, but it was scant reward after a tough day’s toil in the Westcountry.

Ahead of kick-off, the Chiefs marked Remembrance Day with a short on-field service to pay homage to all those who over the years had paid the ultimate sacrifice.

No sooner had that concluded and the Blues were quickly into their stride, fly-half Evans slotting a second minute penalty, before then adding the extras to Sheekey’s score, the No.8 brushing aside some weak home defending to score by the posts.

After six games without a win, it was hardly the start the Chiefs had craved, but within two minutes they were themselves up and running as some powerful bursts from Sam Simmonds, Ollie Atkins and debutant Jack Owlett, created the platform for Malton to rumble over from close range.

Joe Simmonds slotted the conversion to that score and Exeter’s second try, which arrived on 15 minutes courtesy of a penalty try. The home pack had already signalled their intent with one earlier rumbling drive maul – and when they tried it for a second time, the Blues could not contain the swell and referee Luke Pearce had not option but to go under the sticks.

Home celebrations had hardly curtailed before they were on their feet once more, a free-flowing move saw the Chiefs break out from deep inside their own 22. The ball went through a succession of hands before Phil Dollman chipped ahead. Initially it appeared the move had come to an end, but when the Blues fumbled in defence, Italian international Campagnaro – playing his first game of the season – lapped up the loose ball to claim his maiden Exeter try, which Simmonds converted.

Up front the Chiefs were ruling the roost and the only real surprise was that it took until just before the half-hour mark for them to add their fourth score. Again some strong carrying in the midfield saw Exeter make huge dents in the Welsh rearguard, before Will Chudley’s inviting chip over the top fell into the grasp of Welch, himself a former Blues player, to dot down.

As half time approached, the Chiefs thought they were over again, only to be denied by the TMO for a knock-on, before Sam Simmonds finishes off a pass from Tom Johnson to score in the corner.

Half time: Exeter Chiefs 31 Cardiff Blues 10