Exeter Maintain Impressive Home Form
Exeter Chiefs maintained a 100 per cent home record in the Gallagher Premiership after the Vertu Motors-backed team secured another impressive result at Sandy Park.
Fresh from a record-breaking success against defending champions Saracens in the opening game of the season, the Chiefs headed to Harlequins looking to make it two wins from two and hit the front early on when Ehren Painter crossed the line to score the opening try after just four minutes – with Henry Slade adding the extras when he slotted the conversion.
Quins responded with a quick reply from Jack Kenningham, and further tries from Louis Lynagh and Will Joseph – two of which were converted – allowing the home side to take a 19-7 lead at the break.
The Chiefs fought back after half-time and Dan Frost scored with ten minutes to go to bring the gap down to five points only for a late penalty to leave Exeter without any points from the trip to The Stoop.
Despite the loss of Josh Hodge to an injury sustained during the game, Exeter responded in fine style during Round 3 of the season as Sale arrived at Sandy Park seeking to secure a third successive win.
As had been the case a week earlier, the Chiefs stormed out of the blocks at the start and within minutes of whistle had hit the front after Greg Fisilau went over from close range to put the home side in front.
After Slade kicked the conversion and then added a penalty before ten minutes were on the clock, Dan Frost scored try number two with Josh Iosefa-Scott and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso adding their names to the score sheet before half-time.
With a bonus point already secured and a 29-0 lead, the game was all but won, with Niall Armstrong scoring his first try for the club with ten minutes to go and a late penalty try wrapping up an impressive 43-0 victory.
The result leaves Exeter second in the standings behind Bath going into a big match this weekend against Bristol, with the Chiefs boasting the best points difference by far – having scored the most points and with the meanest defence from the first three matches.