Twenty third home win on the 23rd of 23!

A record Sandy Park crowd were sent home with an early Christmas present as a dominant and determined Exeter Chiefs side dispatched Leicester Tigers 29-10 in their return to Gallagher Premiership action.

Anyone in any doubt of the intensity of the fixture had their thoughts resolved within the opening five minutes as Chiefs and Tigers dove head-first into the crunching physicality.

Using every second up on the clock until it was in the red, the crowd – at 15,000 strong capacity – were elated when Rusi Tuima soared over for a final Chiefs try. The conversion wasn’t to be for Slade, but the record 23rd home win in a row, on the 23rd day of December to seal 2023 was secure.

You can rad the full match report here.

Chiefs: T Wyatt; R O’Loughlin (Wimbush 69’), H Slade, O Devoto (Hawkins 61’), B Hammersley; H Skinner, T Cairns (Townsend 58’); S Sio (Abuladze 33’), J Yeandle (Frost 57’), E Painter (Iosefa-Scott 57’), D Jenkins (c), L Pearson (Tuima 61’), E Roots, J Vermeulen (Vintcent 61’), G Fisilau.

Tries: Vermeulen, Penalty Try, Slade, Tuima Conversions: Slade 2 Penalties: Slade

Tigers: F Steward; A Watson, D Kelly, S Kata, J Bassett (Brown 35’); H Pollard (Shillcock 67’), B Youngs (Whiteley 33’); J Whitcombe (Van Wyk 50’), J Montoya (c) (Theobold-Thomas 73’), D Cole (Heyes 46’), G Martin, H Wells, O Chessum (Hatherell), E Ilione (Cracknell 46’), J Wiese.

Tries: Watson, Steward

Yellow card: George Martin

Referee: Tom Foley

Attendance: 15,000