Match Centre: Champions Cup: Exeter Chiefs 32-24 Munster
Henry Slade contributed with 17 points in Exeter's win
©Steve Haag
Exeter 32-24 Munster, Pool 3.
Henry Slade contributed 17 points as Exeter Chiefs edged out Munster 32-24 in the second round of the Investec Champions Cup.
This is the second win for the Chiefs in as many games in Pool 3 while Munster with a draw and a defeat are fifth position in the table.
Munster opened their account in the 5th minute as Craig Casey sent a looping pass for Calvin Nash to touchdown and Jack Crowley kicked the conversion. The scores were levelled in the 15th minute as Exeter worked through the phases with Dan Frost going over the line and Slade improved.
The visitors seized the lead once again as a crossfield kick from Crowley allowed Tom Ahern to touchdown making it 7-12 before Slade kicked a three-pointer in the 26th minute.
The third try for Munster came just before the break as Antoine Frisch had power and pace to carry the ball over in the corner and Crowley nailed a tricky conversion as the Irish province completed the opening half with a 10-19 lead.
Slade helped Exeter get off the block early in the second half with a penalty goal but Munster stretched their lead further as a carry from Diarmuid Barron helped Shane Daly go over the line to secure the bonus point making it 13-24.
The start of the final quarter saw Exeter step things up with back-to-back tries from Ross Vintcent and Jack Dunne and Slade improved both tries making it 27-24. As full-time was nearing, Exeter claimed the bonus point as Slade's interception caught Murray by surprise as he landed over the line to complete an eight-point victory.
Team line up:
Exeter: Wyatt; Woodburn, Slade, Hawkins, Hammersley; Skinner, Cairns; Sio, Frost, Painter, Tuima, Jenkins (capt), Pearson, Vermeulen, Fisilau.
Reserves: Norey, Abuladze, Street, Dunne, Vintcent, Townsend, Devoto, O'Loughlin.
Munster: Daly; Nash, Frisch, Nankivell, O'Brien; Crowley, Casey; Loughman, Barron, Archer, Coombes, Beirne (capt), Ahern, Hodnett, O'Donoghue.
Reserves: Clarke, Wycherley, Jager, Gleeson, Kendellen, Murray, Scannell, O'Connor.
