Exeter Chiefs put bumbling Bulls to the sword

Luke Cowan-Dickie scored a hat-trick of tries as the Exeter Chiefs marched to a 44-14 win over Bulls in the European Champions Cup at Sandy Park on Saturday.

The 2020 champions made it maximum points from their opening two games in this season’s competition as Dave Ewers, Henry Slade, and Solomone Kata also crossed, Joe Simmonds kicking 14 points.

The Bulls were largely overpowered but managed to demonstrate their attacking quality through scores from Stravino Jacobs and Chris Smith.

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The Exeter Chiefs took an early lead through a penalty from flyhalf Simmonds, but the Bulls responded through wing Jacobs, who was allowed to cruise in unchallenged from 20 metres in a concerning moment for the hosts.

But they would wrestle control from that moment on, flanker Ewers burrowing over on 10 minutes as the Bulls’ ill-discipline began to cost them.

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Two well-constructed lineout mauls put hooker Cowan-Dickie over twice in 15 minutes, and Exeter’s power was evident again just before the break as centre Slade dotted down following a series of dominant carries from the forwards.

With that score wrapping up the bonus point, Simmonds extended the lead to 25 points heading into the break as he slotted his second penalty of the half.

And Cowan-Dickie powered over for his hat-trick shortly after the restart, with his close-range finish stemming from Exeter’s dominant scrum forcing another penalty.

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The Bulls looked dangerous on the rare occasions they secured clean ball, and flyhalf Morné Steyn created their second try on 54 minutes as his chip over the top bounced kindly for centre Smith to gather and cross.

But Exeter responded instantly, utilising an overlap in simple yet efficient fashion to send replacement centre Kata over in the corner.

There were no further scores as the game fizzled out over the final 20 minutes, a yellow card for Ewers late on taking some gloss off his superb performance.

The Bulls and Exeter face off again in Round 3, with the Gallagher Premiership side travelling to Pretoria on 14 January.

CHAMPIONS CUP — EXETER CHIEFS VS BULLS SCORERS: 

Exeter Chiefs — Tries: Dave Ewers, Luke Cowan-Dickie (3), Henry Slade, Solomone Kata. Conversions: Joe Simmonds (4). Penalty goals: Simmonds (2).
Bulls — Tries: Stravino Jacobs, Chris Smit. Conversions: Morné Steyn (2).