Chiefs book place in cup final

They demolish Sale

The Chiefs have booked their place in their first men's cup final for two years.

Only Sale stood between them and their first attempt of silverware this season, but on a cold February day, a disappointingly small crowd headed to Sandy Park for this Premiership Cup semi-final.

It wasn't a compelling start. A sloppy first 20 minutes had no real rhythm, with many penalties conceded by both sides. 

A yellow card for Chiefs' fullback Tom Wyatt within four minutes for a deliberate knock on allowed Sale to draw first blood with an early penalty kick. They didn't know it, but it would turn out to be as good as they got.

The lightning feet of Exeter winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso outsteppedd numerous Sharks players before he was thwarted. Although his run came to nothing, the match was becoming livelier. It was much needed.

After nearly 25 minutes without a try, Exeter touched down, as centre Santiago Grodona cracked through to add five points. 

The Chiefs then looked full of confidence. Tom Wyatt made a break to offload to outside centre Sean O’Brien, who scored under the posts. 

Another strong break from the Exeter forward meant the Chiefs placed the ball down right before the break, bring the half-time score to Exeter 24: Sale 3.    

Although, a three try deficit looked harsh for the Greater Manchester side, all they needed to do was match the Chiefs' points from the first half. If Exeter scored first as the second half got underway, it may have been insurmoutable.

So it proved, and from that poijnt Sharks couldn’t stop the waves of Exeter attacks. Tom Wyatt achieved his second try to increase Exeter’s advantage and put the semi-final firmly in their hands. 
 
One try was scratched off when the TMO decided there was no decisive evidence that the ball was held up. 

After a lively performance throughout, Feyi- Waboso darted twenty-five metres to touch down under the post, with aexceptional try by the young Welsh player. And substitute Dan Frost added points with a close range try to end the Chiefs' demolition of Sale.

Final score: Exeter Chiefs 46: Sale 3.

It sets up a cup final, when Chiefs will play London Irish at the G-Tech stadium in Brentford on Sunday 19 March.

Exeter Chiefs:

Tries: Santiago Grondona, Sean’Brien, Rus Tuima, Tom Wyatt, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Dan Frost

Coversions/Penalties: Iwan Jenkins