Chiefs stay in the hunt

Charlie Ingall tangles with Myles Dorrian

Exeter remain in contention for an LV= Cup semi-final berth after a 30-16 victory at London Wasps.

The Chiefs dominated the contest - particularly up front - against a Wasps side whose own hopes of qualification were virtually non-existent even before kick-off.

Exeter captain Gareth Steenson kicked 15 points, while Dave Ewers, Myles Dorrian and Ally Muldowney all crossed for tries. Wasps managed just a lone try through Mike Powell.

Wasps gave debuts to former Leicester winger Lee Robinson and Namibia international Heinz Koll, while the Chiefs gave a first start to teenage centre Sam Hill.

It did not take long for Exeter to open the scoring as Steenson slotted over a penalty from the middle of the pitch 40 metres out.

But Wasps quickly levelled matters as former Chief Ryan Davis converted from a similar position as the visitors were penalised for handling in a ruck.

The early stages were a stop-start affair, but Steenson restored his side's lead with a simple kick in front of the posts, only for Davis to reply in kind again.

The kicking duel was broken as Exeter scored the game's first try with Pat Phibbs feeding the ball to Ewers, who powered over on the left and Steenson converted from out wide.

Potent

Davis pulled back three points with his third penalty but the Chiefs were the more potent and scored again when Phibbs broke clear and passed to allow Dorrian to touch down under the posts.

Steenson added the simple conversion before the Irishman kicked another penalty as Exeter went into half-time leading 23-9.

The visitors extended their lead again as replacement Muldowney scuttled his way over from close range, with Steenson again striking the ball superbly to convert.

This gave them a real chance of bagging a bonus point but a raft of replacements from both sides took some momentum out of the game.

The hosts gave youngster Will Robinson a debut off the bench at fly-half but they just could not breach the Chiefs' defence, with Nathan Morris superbly tackled just short after an attacking line-out.

Morris and Bob Baker were then the latest to be frustrated, but the late pressure eventually told, even if it did not affect the result.

Powell showed great pace to spot a gap on the right wing and get away despite Exeter defenders closing on him from both sides, with Robinson converting for the final points of the game.