Quarter-final prize for Chiefs

Published: Saturday, 21. January, 2012 in category Exeter
Phillips: Goes over in second half for Exeter

The Chiefs claimed their first appearance in a European quarter-final in style at Sandy Park.

Exeter looked destined for a heavy loss as the French club surged into a 14-0 lead within 10 minutes of kick-off but turned the game around thanks to the boot of Ignacio Mieres and a Hayden Thomas try.

Brett Sturgess and James Phillips then grabbed second-half touchdowns to seal the win and qualification to the knockout stages.

But Exeter will have to wait until Wasps' clash with Bordeaux-Begles on Sunday to learn if they have done enough for a home quarter-final.

The Catalan giants came flying out of the blocks at Sandy Park with quickfire tries from Charles Geli and Jeffrey Michel, both converted by James Hook.

Mieres hit back with the boot before Thomas burrowed over following a driving lineout.

Sturgess raced clear to score on the hour before Phillips wrapped up the win, cutting through after Gareth Steenson's penalty rebounded off the post.