Leicester Tigers suffered a 29-10 defeat to Exeter Chiefs away from home in Round 9 of the 23/24 Gallagher Premiership, despite a late comeback from Dan McKellar's side at Sandy Park.
It was dominant first 40 minutes from the home side, including a fast start in front of a sell out crowd at Sandy Park, which saw them cross for two tries in the opening ten minutes.
The first took just six minutes when Jacques Vermeulen crashed over from close range on the back of a territorial advantage helped by repeated infringements from Tigers.
Henry Slade's first contribution to the scoreboard of the afternoon made it 7-0 before the lead extended to 14-0 when George Martin was ruled to have tackled a man without the ball during a Chiefs attack that threatened the Leicester defensive line and the TMO deemed it enough to award a Penalty Try.
Martin was shown a yellow card following the decision, taking Tigers down a man for the next ten minutes.
Leicester managed to hold on during the sin bin period despite the relentless attack of the home side which continued to test the visitors resolve.
However, the defensive efforts came at a cost for Dan McKellar's side with two forced changes for the Head Coach - through injury - in Ben Youngs and Josh Bassett during the first half.
Dominating possession, with more than 60% of the ball for almost 40 minutes, Exeter got their third against the run of play in the final minutes of the half when Slade swooped on a loose pass from Handré Pollard and ran it in under the posts before converting his try to make it 21-0 at the break.
Slade added a penalty goal just shy of ten minutes after half time to make it a 24-0 lead for Chiefs before, approaching the hour mark, Leicester got on to the scoreboard when Anthony Watson crossed in his first league start of the campaign.
The try came on the back of a strong ten minutes from Tigers, putting the hosts under pressure deep inside their own end, and Watson was the beneficiary out wide on the end of a well-placed pass from Solomone Kata to see him with a clear run to the line.
Pollard was unable to convert and the deficit remained 19 points with just 20 minutes left on the clock.
After a strong ten-minute spell from Tigers, Kata added a second try assist in the 70th minute when he offered up another beautiful ball down the left flank for Freddie Steward to take and go over for his side's second.
The try was unable to be converted by replacement Jamie Shillcock which meant the difference was 14 points, where it looked like it would remain until a try with the clock in the red for the home side to secure a bonus-point, 29-10 win at Sandy Park.
Dan McKellar and his side host Bath Rugby up next, on New Year's Eve, in the first of back-to-back matchdays at Mattioli Woods Welford Road ahead of a January 6 Double Header at home for the men's and women's teams against London Saracens (Gallagher Premiership) and Harlequins (Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby).
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Commentary
DEFEAT FOR TIGERS IN DEVON
Tigers suffer 29-10 defeat to Chiefs at Sandy Park despite second-half comeback.
TRY | EXETER CHIEFS
The home side, with the clock in the red, get over through Rusiate Tuima for a bonus-point try.
TRY | FREDDIE STEWARD
Freddie Steward crosses out wide after another well-placed pass from Solomone Kata, who now has two try assists, to cut Exeter's lead to 14 points.
SHILLCOCK INJECTED INTO THE GAME
Jamie Shillcock is on, at fly-half, in place of Handré Pollard.
65
FIFTEEN ON THE CLOCK
The deficit remains 19 points at Sandy Park with just 15 minutes left on the clock.
TRY | ANTHONY WATSON
Leicester are on the board and it's Anthony Watson who gets over his league return, in the corner, after pressure pays off for Tigers on the Exeter line.
PEN | HENRY SLADE
Exeter's lead is extended to 24-0 with 30 minutes remaining thanks to a penalty goal from Henry Slade.
CHANGES IN THE TIGERS PACK
Emeka Ilione and Dan Cole replaced by Olly Cracknell and Joe Heyes after 46 minutes.
BACK UNDERWAY IN EXETER
The second half gets going at Sandy Park.
CHIEFS LEAD AT THE BREAK
Exeter take a 21-0 lead into the changing rooms at the break after a dominant first 40 minutes from the home side.
CON | EXETER CHIEFS
Henry Slade converts his own try to make it 21-0 approaching the break.
TRY | EXETER CHIEFS
The home side have their third, through Henry Slade, after the Chiefs centre swoops on a loose ball near halfway and runs it in under the posts.
BASSETT OFF FOR BROWN
Another forced change for Dan McKellar in the backs as Josh Bassett is replaced by Mike Brown.
35
CHIEFS DENIED AT THE LINE
Exeter get up celebrating a third try but Referee Tom Foley rules it as a double movement, denying the home side with five minutes remaining in the first half.
WHITELEY REPLACES YOUNGS
Ben Youngs is helped from the field with a leg injury and replaced by Tom Whiteley at scrum-half.
30
ALL EXETER IN FIRST THIRTY
The home side dominating possession and territory during the first half hour at Sandy Park but Tigers holding on in defence so far, since the last score in the 11th minute.
20
MARTIN BACK IN ACTION
George Martin returns to the field after his ten-minute spell in the sin bin, with no change to scoreline during his absence.
YELLOW CARD | GEORGE MARTIN
George Martin is shown yellow and sent for 10 minutes on the sideline following the penalty try ruling.
PENALTY TRY | EXETER CHIEFS
The Chiefs lead 14-0 after George Martin is ruled to have tackled the man before he received a pass, which the officials believe would have been a try.
10
HEADING TO THE TMO
The TMO is being called upon for the first time today after Exeter find space in the Leicester defensive line but can't covert, however claim an early tackle preventing the score.
CON | EXETER CHIEFS
The home side lead 7-0 after seven minutes thanks to Henry Slade's conversion after their first try.
TRY | EXETER CHIEFS
The home side are the first to get across the chalk this afternoon, on the back of repeated infringements from the lads, and it's Jacques Vermeulen who crashes over.
5
TERRITORIAL OPENING
Both sides looking for early advantage in terms of territory in the opening five minutes at Sandy Park.
HERE WE GO!
We are underway at Sandy Park!