Exeter Chiefs register their maiden European Champions Cup victory

Bordeaux Begles 12-20 Exeter Chiefs, Stade Chaban-Delmas
Scorecard

Exeter Chiefs finally managed to open their account in this season of European Champions Cup after they defeated Bordeaux Begles by 12-20 at Stade Chaban-Delmas on Saturday.

The game saw infringements from either side with Exeter Chiefs slammed with two yellow cards while Bordeaux Begles had wing Nans Ducuing sent-off in the second half.

Fly-half Lionel Beauxis gave Bordeaux Begles head start with two penalties following which Exeter Chiefs lock Mitch Lees was sin-binned for slowing the ball down at a ruck.

Despite, being reduced to 14-men temporarily, number eight Thomas Waldrom with support from Henry Slade went past the line in the 30th minute. Slade's conversion meant Exeter Chiefs went into half-time with a slender two-point lead.

Even though, Beauxis helped Bordeaux Begles reclaim the lead in the second half with his third penalty kick, they lost Ducuing when he was handed a red card for taking on Exeter Chiefs wing Olly Woodburn in the air.

Slade brought Exeter back into the lead but replacement Greg Holmes was yellow-carded once again reducing them to 14-men temporarily.

Even though replacement fly-half Baptiste Serin got the home team into the lead with a 65th minute penalty, Luke Cowan-Dickie's try in the 68th minute followed by a conversion and a penalty from Slade ensured an eight-point victory for Rob Baxter's men.

Exeter continue to remain at the bottom of Pool 5 while Bordeaux Begles are placed at second.