Esher no match for Exeter in National Trophy

The Chiefs secured a place in the EDF Energy National Trophy semi-final with a comprehensive victory over Surrey side Esher at Sandy Park on Saturday.

The match seemed a potential banana skin as Esher had nothing to lose, having all but secured safety in National League One on the back of an impressive display against Northampton.

However, Chiefs negotiated the threat with efficiency in what was a dominant performance at Sandy Park.

Chiefs were quickly into their stride and the opening exchanges gave an insight into what was to be a long 80 minutes for the Esher side.

The Chiefs' first lineout saw the ball secured and mauled 20 yards up the field.

The ball was then transferred along the backline with Gary Kingdom bursting through a well-created gap in the defence.

His ball to Jason Luff was poor, forcing the winger to check his run and step inside.

However, quick feet saw Luff burst through a gap untouched for a try that was easily converted by Kingdom and the Chiefs were into a 7-0 lead inside the first minute.

Chiefs were completely dominant in the early territorial exchanges, with regular line breaks puncturing the Esher defence.

Good strength from Junior Fatialofa nearly created another score for the Chiefs but Luff was just unable to offload the ball with a try looking inevitable.

The Chiefs did not have to wait long however to add to their score as a penalty from Kingdom from in front of the posts stretched the lead to 10-0 after 18 minutes.

By this stage, it seemed infringement was the only way Esher could halt the Chiefs attacking intent, with several penalties being conceded in a short space of time.

One such penalty created a chance for Kingdom to kick at goal which he converted confidently. Moments later another infringement caused Lee Starling, the Esher flanker, to be sent to the sin-bin.

With only 14 men, Esher found it even harder to contain the Chiefs.

Another powerful break from Junior Fatiolofa was halted just yards short of the line.

The Chiefs forwards had the presence of mind to remain composed and after a couple of phases of slow ball, Chad Slade was able to dive over the line from the base of a ruck.

Kingdom failed to convert but the Chiefs went into half-time pleased with their structured performance and their 18-0 lead on the scoreboard.

Esher had showed little attacking intent in the first half and the visitors' appeared determined to rectify this with Charlie Amesbury making good ground from a darting run early in the half.

Despite this, the Chiefs did not lose momentum and retained the territorial advantage of the first period.

In the 49th minute, a strong and patient maul by the Chiefs forwards forced Sam Blythe over the line for an unconverted try that pushed Chiefs into the comfort zone.

As the game entered the last quarter, both sides opened up in an attempt to play some expansive rugby, which was made possible by the dry day and hard ground.

Exeter's increasing confidence was clear to see, but it was one inaccurate expansive move that led to the Chiefs forcing the ball out of the tackle near to the touchline.

Danny Gray, who showed several touches of class during the afternoon, just managed to keep the ball in play flicking the ball out of the back of his hand releasing Lewis Stevenson who offloaded to Kevin Barrett, who had the speed to reach the line.

Kingdom converted the try and pushed Chiefs into a 30-0 lead.

With the result in no doubt both teams made several substitutions in order to rest players for upcoming matches.

Esher then gained a deserved reward for their spirited defence with a try of their own in the 68th minute.

Neil Hallett showed good speed and strength to finish an elegant move from the visitors which was well converted by fly-half Dave Hewitt.

The last few minutes saw a try from the excellent Junior Fatialofa, who showed he had speed and agility to go with his obvious strength stepping inside the full-back to score under the posts.

Kingdom converted this try and then rounded off an excellent day for the Chiefs with a try of his own in the last minute.

Teams:Exeter Chiefs - Kingdom; Luff, J Fatialofa, Kelly, Ward; Gray (M Fatialofa 64mins), Barrett; Parkes (Kingsland 56mins), Blythe (Nelson 56mins), Dunlea, Hanks, Stevenson, Slade (Johnson 56mins), Andy Miller (Alan Miller 64mins), Baxter (capt).Esher - Flockhart; Moore (Hallett 54mins), Armitage, Henderson (Clouston 68mins), Amesbury; Hewitt (Sleman 68mins), Barr; Cormack (capt)(Smith 68mins), Campbell, Warren, Inglis (Butterworth 68mins), Blakeburn, Soden, Stirling, Barrell.Scorers:Exeter Chiefs - Tries: Luff, Slade, Blythe, Barrett, Junior Fatialofa, Kingdom; Cons: Kingdom (3); Pens: Kingdom (2).Esher - Try: Hallett; Con: Hewitt.Yellow card:Starling (Esher)