Exeter Chiefs secure 31-10 bonus point win over Leicester Tigers

Exeter Chiefs 31-10 Leicester Tigers, Sandy Park
Scorecard

A dominant first half performance from Exeter Chiefs saw them secure a 31-10 bonus point in the Aviva Premiership game against Leicester Tigers at Sandy Park on Saturday.

Exeter Chiefs' prolific try-scorer Thomas Waldrom made impact once again when he scored the first two tries in the 4th and 19th minute while fly-half Gareth Steenson's double conversion took the tally to 14 points.

Leicester Tigers replacement Graham Kitchener was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on which also resulted in a penalty try for Exeter Chiefs, who ended the first half with a 21-point lead.

Steenson's penalty in the 43rd minute saw the home team stretch the lead to 24 points. Even though replacements Harry Thacker and Jono Kitto helped the visitors cover some ground with a try each, centre Ollie Devoto scored the fourth try in the 65th minute for Exeter Chiefs which helped them secure a bonus point.

The win has taken Exeter Chiefs to fourth position in the table while Leicester Tigers move to fifth.

Leicester Tigers rugby director Richard Cockerill slammed the referee for his decisions in the game.

"It was a little bit frustrating and indisciplined in the first half and we gave away cheap field possession, turning the ball over too easily," told BBC Radio.

"We came back pretty strongly in the second half and scored a couple, so that was encouraging, but I was disappointed by Thomas Waldrom's (second) try. I thought that he was held up - and they are big moments.

"We've got a player at the bottom of the post and Waldrom is on top of him. The ball is not placed at the bottom of the post, so it's not a try.

"I thought the referee had a really poor game, scrum he was poor, and refereed the two sets of mauls differently."