David Lemi dives over the line during Wasps victory over Exeter
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Preview: Chiefs look to give Wasps the chop

Matches: Wasps 24 - 12 Exeter Chiefs

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: Exeter Chiefs | Wasps

Wasps ran out comfortable 24-12 winners over a battling Exeter amid freezing fog at Adams Park on Sunday.

The hosts were always the more creative side scoring the only two tries of the game through Ben Broster and David Lemi. Exeter, despite all their possession, were one dimensional in attack and had to rely on four penalties from Ryan Davis for their points.

The visitors were dealt a blow just before kick off when wing Andrew Higgins picked up an injury in the warm up which ruled him out. But the Chiefs still began brightly, taking a third-minute lead when Davis kicked a penalty after Andy Powell was penalised for killing the ball at the ruck.

Within minutes Wasps were level when Dave Walder responded with a 30-metre penalty.

Wasps then produced a sustained period of pressure with both centres Ben Jacobs and Steve Kefu producing threatening runs. Exeter were forced to concede a penalty and once again Walder was successful.

The opening quarter was a free-flowing affair with both sides enjoying periods of attacking play but neither were able to break down their opponents' defence. Wasps were the more creative but strong defence from the Chiefs kept them at bay and it was the visitors who recorded the next score when Davis kicked another penalty to level it at 6-6 after 22 minutes.

Walder then put the home side back in front with another penalty but the fly-half was unable to extend the advantage when he badly sliced a difficult penalty attempt from close on halfway.

A minute before the break Wasps scored the first try of the game. Following a succession of five-metre scrums and constant pressure, the home side drove over the line with Broster awarded the try. Walder converted to give Wasps a deserved 16-6 interval lead.

And within five minutes of the restart Wasps went further ahead thanks to a splendid try. From a ruck near halfway a clever pass from Walder sent his three quarters away with Kefu and Mark van Gisbergen combining well to send Lemi over for a try which Walder was unable to convert.

The game seemed up for Exeter, but the Chiefs continued to battle. Despite a plentiful supply of possession, though, they could not break down the Wasps defence and it was left to Davis to kick another penalty to make it 21-9 going into the final quarter.

Exeter continued to dominate in terms of both territory and possession and they were unlucky not to further reduce Wasps' lead when a penalty attempt from Davis hit the post.

The fly-half was successful with one from 45 metres to make it 21-12 with seven minutes to go, but Wasps emerged from their brief slumber to gain a position in the visitors' 22 and when Exeter were penalised Walder kicked a simple goal to seal victory.