Aviva Premiership report: Exeter crush London Welsh
Exeter scored five tries and Gareth Steenson kicked 22 points as the Chiefs crushed London Welsh 47-16 at Sandy Park.
Last Updated: 23/02/13 6:03pm
Stuart Baxter's side had gone five Aviva Premiership matches without a win, but held a comfortable 19-9 lead at the break never looked back against a team just three points above bottom-placed Sale.
Jack Yeandle was the only try-scorer before half-time but Exeter burst into life on the resumption and had the game sewn up by the hour mark.
Further tries from skipper Tommy Hayes, Damian Welch, Sireli Naqelevuki and Jack Nowell, all converted by Steenson, steered the Devon side to their deserved bonus-point victory.
Steenson and opposite number Gavin Henson traded two early kicks apiece in an error-ridden opening period, but midway through the first the home side were through Steenson after Julio Farias Cabello took out Luke Arscott off the ball.
Henson levelled from wide out as the game continued in similar vein, Steenson restoring the advantage almost immediately.
Chiefs broke through on the half-hour mark, a maul being pulled down close to the Welsh line and from the resulting scrum Yeandle drove over from close range, Steenson converting to give his side a 10-point lead.
Early second-half pressure paid off for the hosts when flanker James Scaysbrook gave a long pass to Hayes who squeezed in at the corner, the dead-eyed Steenson adding the extras from the touchline.
Exeter were briefly pegged back when Canada wing Phil MacKenzie darted over for London Welsh, Henson's conversion reduced the arrears to 10 points again.
But it was a brief respite for the visitors as Jason Shoemark fed Damian Welsh, who had been on the field for just seven minutes as a replacement for lock Dean Mumm, to touch down out wide. Steenson again added the extras.
Exeter's third try-scoring point of the Premiership season came after 57 minutes when Arscott gave the pass to outside centre Naqelevuki who shrugged off a half tackle to stretch for the line, and Steenson converted.
The Chiefs defence was again tested but it stood firm in the closing 15 minutes. Exeter went in search of a fifth try which came six minutes from time as wing Nowell raced in from 35 metres with Steenson doing the rest.