Exeter Chiefs Women held DMP Sharks to a scoreless defeat at Sandy Park, scoring nine tries against them in a dominant display.

The first half saw tries from Clara Nielson and Claudia MacDonald, the former from a well-drilled catch-and-drive line-out twelve minutes in, and the latter from a solo run from near the halfway line, close to half-time.

That the Chiefs, second in the table, were held to a 14-0 lead at half time was in part due to some scrappy play from Exeter, but also from some excellent defence by the Sharks – time and again keeping the Chiefs from their try line.

HALF TIME: EXETER CHIEFS 14, DMP SHARKS 0

Following what can only be assumed as an uncomfortable dressing room chat from Susie Appleby at half-time, the Chiefs came out rejuvenated and ready to increase their score from the off.

When Ebony Jeffries crossed the line just a few minutes in, it seemed that a flurry of tries was to follow, however, the Sharks fought back, making it difficult for the hosts to find their stride. Gaby Cantorna found her way across the line before Appleby unleashed the power on her bench, which seemed to add the required energy to the Chiefs, allowing Kate Zachary to take on some of her USA Eagles teammates and get her name on the scoreboard. Cliodhna Moloney peeled off the back of a driving maul to add her name to the ever-growing list of try scorers.

Into the final ten minutes, and with the Sharks’ defence tiring, Nancy McGillivray dotted down having barged her way through, before flanker Rachel Johnson finished the hosts’ nine tries with two of her own, ending what had been a great display of resilience and defence from the Sharks, and in their own words, ‘a scratchy performance’ from the hosts.

The Sharks return to the Arena on Saturday for their rearranged Round 4 clash with Wasps in a 5pm kick off. Stay tuned for more on Saturday's game including team news and match previews.