Story byExeter Chiefs winger Manny Feyi-Waboso drives toward the tryline []BBCSun, December 7, 2025 at 8:40 PM UTC·4 min readEuropean Challenge CupExeter Chiefs (35) 42Tries: Ikitau, Fisilau, Skinner, Sio, Slade, Feyi-Waboso Cons: Slade 6Cheetahs (7) 12Tries: Annies, Hartzenberg Cons: van der WaltExeter Chiefs got their European Challenge Cup campaign off to the perfect start with a dominant display against the Cheetahs at Sandy Park. The hosts went second in Pool 3 level on points with Ulster and Stade Francais after an opening fixture featuring six-tries against the South Africans who were blown away in the first half. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCoach Rob Baxter takes his side to Racing 92 next Sunday for a second outing in Europe's second tier competition with wind in their sails not only from their strong Prem start but a ruthless display here. Tries from Len Ikitau, Greg Fisilau, Harvey Skinner, Scott Sio and Henry Slade gave Chiefs a 35-7 half time lead and while the second half saw them add just one more through Manny Feyi-Waboso, they showcased some outstanding defensive sets to put the contest to bed. Cheetahs, who scored tries through Michael Annies in the first half and a close range effort from Munier Hartzenberg in the second surged late but could find no way through Exeter's lines in the last half hour. All aspects of Exeter's play started on point with a line-out steal backed up with some bruising phases in the middle then Skinner breaking through the Cheetahs' defensive line. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHis assist to Ikitau got the ball rolling and with Exeter dominant at the breakdown and assured at the line-out they were soon two tries to the good with Fisilau touching down on 20 minutes. Cheetahs responded to halve the deficit to 14-7 after a fine off-load from Prince Nkabinde seeing Annies go over. But a close-range effort from Skinner, a pick and go from a line-out from Sio and a cross-field kick from Skinner to Slade, who touched down in the corner, saw them go in 35-7 up. Slade deserves special mention for the unerring accuracy of his boot from some demanding angles. All six of his conversion attempts went over for extras. But a towering display in defence from Tom Hooper also needs noting. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter Feyi-Waboso cancelled out Hartzenberg's second-half effort Exeter allowed some sloppy play to creep into their performance but they were back on song towards the end. With a muscular Cheetahs outfit pushing for points, Chiefs held firm with some magnificent defensive sets to keep it pointless for the last 20 minutes of a contest that was never in doubt. First-half display delights Walder - reactionExeter Chiefs assistant coach Dave Walder speaking to BBC Radio Devon:"We are delighted with the start we have made today to the tournament and while there is lots to work on we are sitting in the changing room very happy. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"We put the game to bed in the first half hour.