EXETER RAN HEINEKEN Cup holders Toulon close in their Pool 2 clash at Sandy Park this afternoon.
Rob Baxter’s men impressed for long spells against the Top 14 heavyweights, but came out on the wrong end of a 14-9 scoreline. Jonny Wilkinson was uncharacteristically wasteful from the tee for the visitors, missing with four of his six attempts.
The Chiefs attacked desperately in the closing minutes, but Wilkinson won a turnover penalty to seal the victory for Toulon. Five minutes previously, the English out-half had dropped a goal to give his side some breathing space, showing his mental strength even after an unconvincing individual and collective performance.
Exeter will curse their inability to get over the try-line, with their only scoring coming from two penalties by Gareth Steenson and one from Henry Slade. For Toulon, prop Florian Fresia scored a third minute try after a gorgeous Ali Williams offload, while Wilkinson kicked a penalty as well as his drop goal, and Matt Giteau also added three points.
The result sees Toulon move back to the top of Pool 2 on 10 points, with the Cardiff Blues in second on nine points after their win over Glasgow last night.
Elsewhere, Saracens scored five tries in a 39-10 win over Zebre in their Pool 3 encounter at the Stadio XXV Aprile. Chris Ashton crossed the whitewash twice, while George Kruis, Ernst Joubert and Chris Wyles also got over the try-line. Charlie Hodgson kicked three conversions and two penalties, before Owen Farrell appeared off the bench to add a conversion of his own.
This victory means Sarries return to the top of the group on ten points, with Toulouse [on nine points] set to face Connacht tomorrow afternoon.
Meanwhile, Clermont powered to a 32-11 win at home to the Scarlets in Pool 4. Napolioni Nalaga scored a brace of second half tries, with Canadian lock Jamie Cudmore and Clément Ric also dotting down. Out-half Brock James slotted two penalties and converted two of his side’s five-pointers, while Mike Delany kicked one conversion.
Rhys Preistland’s 15th minute penalty and another impressive long-range effort by Jordan Williams were the limit of what Simon Easterby’s men could muster until a late consolation try from replacement scrum-half Rhodri Williams.
Clermont’s bonus point success allows them to move to the top of Pool 4 on 10 points, while Racing Metro and Harlequins have just kicked off in Nantes.
