Exeter struck first with a 3^rd minute penalty but it wasn’t long before Connacht took the initiative and after some slick hands from Paul O’Donohoe and Henry Fa’afili they were right down in the Exeter 22. Some ferocious tackling by Connacht’s Ray Ofisa, Michael Swift and George Naoupu held back the Exeter attack and after 15 minutes the visitors hadn’t added to their tally despite having the majority of possession for the first quarter. Leinster Referee Dudley Phillips kept a firm grip on the scrums and penalised Connacht on a number of occasions for technical infringements. This gave Exeter both possession and points as they extended their lead to 6 points before the first coach’s interval after 20 minutes. Outhalf Niall O’Connor slotted 3 points for Connacht but it was the Exeter Chiefs who scored the first try after half and hour, with out half Gareth Steenson adding the conversion. Steenson kicked another penalty after Connacht were deemed offside, a decision questioned by many in the stands and 3 minutes later added another 3 from a scrum penalty. Steenson was on hand at just the right moment to intercept a deft inside pass from Henry Fa’afili and sprint from the halfway line to score under the post. He added the conversion n the stroke of half time to give Exeter a halftime lead of 26 points to 3 though some strong defensive work from Connacht did not do justice to the scoreline.

An early series of penalties in the second half let Connacht pile on the pressure and work their way into the Exeter 5m lined but Dudley Phillips blew for hands on the ground and Exeter were able to clear their lines. Niall O’Connor’s boot kept Connacht in the Exeter half and Connacht enjoyed the majority of possession. Lock Dave Nolan was stretchered off the pitch following a clash at a lineout. Exeter’s centre Bryan Rennie made a break through the Connacht line and offloaded to Matt Jess who ran in under the posts. Steenson added the extra 2 and and added the conversion to a Nic Sestaret try 3 minutes later. Referee Dudley Phillips was keen to make his mark on the game handing both hookers a yellow card in a physical yet fair contest. Both teams made use of their extended bench. Exeter scored another try to make it 47 – 3. Matthew Jarvis scored Connacht’s 1^st try of the season after intercepting a pass on the Exeter 22m line. He added the conversion and Connacht upped the tempo for the final quarter. The final score in Dubarry Park Connacht 10 Exeter Chiefs 47

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