Chiefs make headlines for their performance as silence is observed despite controversy

Off-field politics were duly put to one side and it was the rugby that was on the lips of everyone as they departed Sandy Park late on Saturday evening.
Pre-match there had been plenty of debate as to the rights and wrongs of Exeter Chiefs staging a minute’s silence in memory of the late Baroness Thatcher.
As it turned out, the mark of respect went off without a hitch and it was the display of Rob Baxter’s side in sinking visiting London Irish that was making the real headlines.
The Chiefs kept alive their hopes of competing in next season’s Heineken Cup by producing a fourth Aviva Premiership win in five games thanks to tries from Matt Jess and Dave Ewers, alongside further points from fly-halves Gareth Steenson and Henry Slade.
The Exiles, just a place off the foot of the table, countered with a penalty apiece from Tom Homer and Iam Humphreys, but in truth that was all they could muster against a resolute and determined Chiefs side.
Having recharged the batteries following their late victory at Worcester two weeks’ earlier, the Chiefs returned to action sporting two changes from that which had started at Sixways. Both came in the pack where Brett Sturgess returned ahead of Carl Rimmer in the front-row for his first start since the home draw with Bath in December; whilst Ben White was given the nod in the back-row over Ewers.
Irish, meanwhile, welcomed back into their starting ranks Jebb Sinclair, Topsy Ojo, Leo Halavatau and Darren Allinson, whilst England international Alex Corbisero was another notable inclusion on the bench having missed previous games through injury.
On a mucky afternoon in the Westcountry, it was the Chiefs – aided by a strong wind at their backs – who set the early tone against the Exiles, who were beaten 27-23 by their Devon rivals at the Madejski Stadium back in November.

For the full match report and attendance go to: http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/chiefs-27-irish-6/