Pirates Coach Mark Hewitt kept his word and made seven changes as he names his strongest XV for this fixture. Following a difficult two weeks off the field the Pirates came into this match as clear under-dogs but hopes were high amongst the sizeable travelling support that a shock result could be in the air.

For the first half at least the Pirates had the edge as they opened the scoring in the third minute, a penalty from Gareth Steenson punishing a infringement on the floor by Miller. Two minutes later the home crowd fell silent as the visitors followed up with the opening try of the contest. Steenson`s long range clearance caused confusion in the Exeter defence with Josh Drauniniu fumbling and then knocking on straight to Vunga Lilo. The Tongan international squeezed past the floundering wing and touched down in the corner.

Exeter responded with a try of their own from their first meaningful attack. From a lineout deep in Pirates territory Bentley claimed possession at the tail and broke through a strangely absent defence to score. Yapp`s horribly missed conversion a rare aberration from the Chiefs fly-half.

Now back in the game the Chiefs began to use their powerful back row to cut loose their forceful driving game. Only good disruption in defence by the Pirates prevented Exeter building any real momentum, and with twenty-two minutes played a superb piece of opportunism by Steenson punished Exeter even further. As the home side built an attack on half-way he intercepted Johnson`s floated pass and won the foot race to touch down under the posts to the delight of the Pirates supporters.

Two quick-fire penalties from the boot of Yapp reduced the Pirates lead to 11-15 as the Chiefs began testing the Pirates defence again. Still there were counter-attacking chances for the Pirates with Jimmy Moore only denied by a hefty cover tackle from Junior Fatialofa, and as half-time was called it was clear for the Pirates that solid restart was needed.

What happened in the opening sixty seconds of the second half effectively decided the outcome of the match. A probing Pirates attack deep in Exeter territory ended as Drauniniu picked off Bruce Cumming`s pass, and the speedster raced seventy metres to score.

Worse was to follow for the Pirates as two minutes later Fatialofa`s devastating break set up skipper Richard Baxter for a try on his 250th appearance for the club. Then with the Pirates reeling another barnstorming break from Drauniniu set up a platform from which Yapp wrestled his way over for the Chiefs fourth try.

Now trailing by 32-15 the Pirates needed to halt the avalanche of points they were conceding and three minutes later took back some of the initiative with Steenson`s second try of the afternoon. A wonderful flowing attack culminated in Ireland`s sublime angled run creating space for the young Irishman to score. His conversion reduced the deficit to ten points but it lasted just a minute.

From the restart confusion in the Pirates ranks saw the impressive Johnson gather the ball and the visitors had no answer to his sharp turn of pace. Yapp added the extras and at 39-22 with twenty minutes to play the game was lost for the Pirates.

Despite the Chiefs devastating comeback there was no panic amongst the Pirates as they continued to play with pace, width and flair - qualities sadly lacking for much of this season. Their perseverance was rewarded nine minutes from time with a bonus point clinching fourth try. Vunga Lilo`s excellent break was halted twenty metres out but quick ball and an outrageous dummy by the livewire Rhodri McAtee, created space for the Welsh 7`s star to canter home under the posts.

Thomas converted but that was as good as it got for the Cornishmen. They pushed hard for a second bonus point but the Chiefs shut up shop and kept them at arms length as the clock ran down. Full time brought a deserved victory for the Chiefs but a vastly improved performance from the Pirates.

MATCH STATS :- 

Exeter Chiefs

Marsden, Luff, Fatialofa A (Fatialofa M. 71), Kelly, Drauniniu, Yapp, Stuart-Smith (Barrett 78), Sturgess, Blythe, Andress (Dunlea 60), Bentley (Hanks 57), Stevenson, Johnson (Slade 66), Andy Miller, Baxter (capt)

Replacements (not used) - Jenkins, Kingsland

Tries - Bentley, Drauniniu, Baxter, Yapp, Johnson

Cons - Yapp (4)

Pens -  Yapp (2)

Cornish Pirates

Winnan, Moore (McAtee 44), Ireland, Winn, Lilo, Steenson (Thomas 60), Fairhurst (McAtee 38-40 blood, Devlin 66), Paver, Elloway (Kemp 56), Seal (Cook 67), Senekal, Hobson (Cumming 40), Cracknell, Motusaga, Cowley (capt)

Replacement (not used) -Evans

Tries - Lilo, Steenson (2), McAtee

Cons - Steenson (2), Thomas

Pens  -  Steenson

Referee -   D. Newitt (RFU)                    

Attendance -  5859

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