Stuart Hogg scored an try and a drop as Exeter secured a troublesome and tense European Cup victory in opposition to Münster.
Exeter Chiefs pulled off a 13-8 victory within the Champions Cup within the Spherical of 16 within the first leg in opposition to Monster at Sandy Park, however the Irish province remained in a draw after a gritty defensive efficiency.
Linebacker Stuart Hogg scored an try and dropped a purpose within the win, with again row Jack Vermeulen snatching Exeter’s second try in a sport they largely dominated by way of possession and territory.
Monster scored by way of Shane Daly’s try and Ben Healey’s penalty kick, however they’d be disenchanted they did not rating extra factors – particularly when the 13 males confronted off for greater than eight minutes after Ole Woodburn and Patrick Schckerling had been each fouled within the second half.
Monster arrived minus captain Peter O’Mahony (hamstring), playmaker Joey Carbery (knee), and key gamers Tadde Byrne (thigh), Dave Kilquin (neck), Gavin Combs (ankle), and Andrew Conway (knee), earlier than dropping after. Simon Zebo and Diarmuid Barron on match day resulting from a contagious virus.
They refused to wilt within the face of heavy strain, although open winger John Hodnet significantly stood out, and Keith Earls put in a late save try which could possibly be important forward of subsequent week’s second leg at Tomond Park.
Monster is aware of they’re staying firmly within the tie again to Limerick
Having twice counterattacked within the first minutes of the match, Monster completed off Finen Witcherley’s first assault close to 22 when he took a penalty.
Exeter Hawker Jack Yandel repeated the breakdown trick as he had Wichcherley to complete Monster’s first promising offensive spell round 22 as effectively, earlier than the hosts hit the entrance simply six minutes later.
Flowing motion after a fast flick and again cross for Tom O’Flaherty to run into area down the best noticed the dodgy winger after which cross to Hauge to the touch into the nook.
Hough went for an early try after a phenomenal workforce transfer between their backs
Joe Symonds hit the arduous conversion huge, however Alex Kendellen’s complementary cross and Healy’s ahead cross in successive Monster assaults had them fail to construct any momentum in response.
Hodnett’s good collapse halted the subsequent Exeter’s rush ahead, with defenses in entrance and neither facet capable of break by way of the strains concerned and spend time attacking at 22 opponents.
At 24 minutes Exeter rejected a shot alternative from shut vary in favor of a five-meter streak, proving the unsuitable determination when Yandel misplaced the ball ahead by Yandel after very good defensive work from Conor Murray. .
Exeter got here in once more as Monster struggled to clear their streaks within the wind, however a extra formidable protection – Damien de Allende and his teammates compelled a chokehold on strikes and spins – stored the Chiefs out.
Buoyed by their defensive efforts, this was adopted by Monster’s extra constant assault within the half, with winger Daley flailing and chasing earlier than full again Mike Haley superior to 22, however the reinforcements got here to nothing when Monster conceded a penalty upon collapsing. .
One other penalty kick in opposition to Monster on the sphere – this time for not being laid off in defence – referred to as Exeter again into the twenty second minute, however once more the hosts could not break by way of as Harry Williams smashed into a way more assertive defence.
Monster’s protection was routinely sturdy in a extremely absorbent competitors
Chris Farrell’s tiebreak practically noticed Monster away on the best, however once more they had been pressured to break down when Niall Scannell slipped off his toes – referee Pierre Prost deemed it essential to warn Monster captain Jacques O’Donoghe in opposition to repeat violations.
Within the subsequent part of play, Monster was then lowered to 14 when back-row substitute Jack O’Sullivan was penalized for slowing the ball down in midfield.
Simmonds kicked to the touch once more fairly than including factors throughout the boot, and with two minutes into the primary half into the second try, I lastly arrived throughout wing Vermeulen, with Monster’s prolonged rear guard unable to fend off a flurry of close-range capture-Go holds.
Symonds’ flip veered huge, leaving the rating 10-0 on the finish of the primary half, however the second half began with waves of Exeter’s assault on the Monster streak – solely a noticeable flip in O’Donogh underneath great strain seeing Monster keep away from additional concessions earlier than he was reclaimed. to fifteen gamers.
De Allende’s skewed clearance kick meant that Monster remained underneath strain, however Murray’s large collapse – once more with guests on their streak – left them working once more.
Earls ran excessive on Sam Symonds with a No. 8 break for Exeter, sending the hosts again to Monster 22, however the guests stole the ball first, bumping Exeter on their subsequent possession, then Hodnett successful with a crash penalty kick handy Monster. His first journey to the land of the homeowners of the land within the second half within the 54th minute.
Ben Healy kicked Monster’s first level within the sport within the 56th minute
Monster hit the purpose line, and after being compelled into an offside penalty by Exeter, Healey kicked his first factors within the 56th minute.
Hodnett received one other defensive penalty quickly after, in an incident that noticed winger Chiefs Woodburn endure a TMO assessment and Benning’s foul, fortunately avoiding a pink card to throw off Scannell’s face.
Ole Woodburn was mistakenly uncared for for calling Niall Scannell’s head in a small room
With Monster’s fast assault, Exeter was given a second yellow card two minutes later as substitute prop Shekerling was penalized for a hand close to the try line.
Irish Territory kicked into the nook to arrange an assault in opposition to 13 defenders inside Exeter 22, however obtained a pricey penalty kick within the kick for a foul because the guilt alternative was missed.
One other penalty kick in opposition to Monster on the touchline noticed Exeter get their very own likelihood inside moments as Henry Slade delivered an enormous kick from his hand, however Munster confirmed Exeter’s rolling kick was stopped.
Nevertheless, from the goal-line drop that adopted, Hogg carried out a shimmering drop purpose from a distance so as to add three extra factors to the scoreboard.
Hogg celebrates his wonderful long-range purpose
Monster responded virtually instantly when Daly hit again at his try after Slade knocked as he tried to intercept a cross in midfield – Chiefs’ middle was underneath sticks to strive it alone if he continued – however Earls picked him up and sped ahead, with Daly too fast for Hogg and getting inside O’Flaherty.
Shane Daly scored a monster try within the competitors at Sandy Park
Healey pulled the conversion huge to go away Monster 5 factors in sight however regarded like they’d make a second try when substitute Craig Casey slipped off the streak with the guests nonetheless dealing with 13 – the TMO assessment proved inconclusive on whether or not the ball was held up, however from Positive sufficient, Monster would have scored had he been shipped out to play huge.
Having been on penalty kicks benefit, many Monster phases adopted, however Exeter – like Monster for many of the competitors – produced a defensive spell certain to not concede any factors and acquire turnover.
Craig Casey and Monster thought they had been completed for the second strive, but it surely wasn’t given
Going again to the complete set, Exeter regarded more likely to seal the tie when Woodburn blasted ahead into area late on the best however the opposing winger Earls made a sensational sort out to cease a specific try.
The remainder of the competitors occurred at Monster 22, with Exeter kicking into the nook twice in such an try, however first, Thomas Ahern of Monster stole possession of the ranks, earlier than a tense and entertaining match ended as Monster grabbed Zephys. within the last, guaranteeing that they keep stable within the tie earlier than the second leg.
