Exeter off to a flier as they outrun Cheetahs

European Challenge Cup

Exeter Chiefs (35) 42

Tries: Ikitau, Fisilau, Skinner, Sio, Slade, Feyi-Waboso Cons: Slade 6

Cheetahs (7) 12

Tries: Annies, Hartzenberg Cons: van der Walt

Exeter Chiefs got their European Challenge Cup campaign off to the perfect start with a dominant display against the Cheetahs at Sandy Park.

The hosts went second in Pool 3 level on points with Ulster and Stade Francais after an opening fixture featuring six-tries against the South Africans who were blown away in the first half.

Coach Rob Hunter takes his side to Racing 92 next Sunday for a second outing in Europe's second tier competition with wind in their sails not only from their strong Prem start but a ruthless display here.

Tries from Len Ikitau, Greg Fisilau, Harvey Skinner, Scott Sio and Henry Slade gave Chiefs a 35-7 half time lead and while the second half saw them add just one more through Manny Feyi-Waboso, they showcased some outstanding defensive sets to put the contest to bed.

Cheetahs, who scored tries through Michael Annies in the first half and a close range effort from Munier Hartzenberg in the second surged late but could find no way through Exeter's lines in the last half hour.

More to follow.

Exeter: Hammersley; Woodburn, Slade, Ikitau, Feyi-Waboso; Skinner, Chapman; Sio, Yeandle, Tchumbadze, Jenkins, Zambonin, Hooper, Roots, Fisilau

Replacements: Dweba, Goodrick-Clarke, Roots, Pearson, James, Cairns, Haydon-Wood, John

Cheetahs: Annies; Hartzenberg, Ackermann, du Plessis, Nkabinde; van der Walt, Jansen van Vuren; Dawson, van der Westhuizen, Coetzee, Wegner, Sekekete, Uys, Venter, van der Merwe

Replacements: Paulo, Nieuwoudt, dos Reis, Vumazonke, Volschenk, Maartens, Nel, Jasper

Referee: Benoit Rousselet (Fra)