European Rugby Challenge Cup: Exeter beat La Rochelle in France
Last Updated: 04/12/14 10:14pm
Exeter cemented top spot in European Rugby Challenge Cup Pool 2 with an impressive 36-10 victory over La Rochelle at Stade Marcel-Deflandre.
Tom James, Brett Sturgess, Byron McGuigan and Fetu'u Vainokolo all crossed for tries to supplement an assured kicking display from Gareth Steenson and help the Chiefs record a seventh consecutive victory.
The hosts started brightly enough and after Jules Lebail had missed a penalty in the opening two minutes, were unfortunate not to score when Levani Botia sped through only for a lucky ricochet to save the Chiefs.
Exeter kicker Steenson, who boasts the highest percentage of successful kicks in European rugby this year, was quick to punish La Rochelle with a penalty that signalled the start of a fruitful period for the visitors.
Only a fantastic cover tackle from Damien Cler prevented Matt Jess from crossing in the corner in the 24th minute but Exeter were not to be denied on the half-hour, when an exquisite pass from lock Mitch Lees allowed James to barge over from close range.
Another excellent offload - this time from No 8 Kai Horstmann - allowed Sturgess to jog in for a second moments later and it was not until just before the break that the home side had something to shout about, when Lebail's perfect chip was caught and touched down by full-back Jean-Pascal Barraque to cut their half-time deficit to 17-7.
A Julien Andy penalty opened the scoring in the second half but by the time the hour-mark came, the metronomic boot of Steenson had added three penalties for Exeter as Rob Baxter's side set about killing the game off.
La Rochelle used the chip-through again in the 68th minute as they attempted to force a way back into the game and only courageous defending from Steenson prevented Botia capping his all-action display with a score.
Exeter quickly countered and piled on the pressure, prompting Lekso Kaulashvili to kill the ball and earn himself a trip to the sin-bin - McGuigan capitalising on the man advantage by sliding over in the corner at the end of a clinical three-quarter move.
From out wide, Steenson was for once errant with the conversion but victory was already firmly in the bank and another scything break from James provided Vainokolo with the simplest of finishes at the death, adding further gloss to the scoreline.
