Photo via BBC Sport

Baxter impressed with Exeter's opening cup victory

Rob Baxter praised Exeter Chiefs' composure during crucial stretches after they kicked off their competitive campaign with a 45-21 Premiership Rugby Cup triumph against Bristol at Sandy Park on Saturday. Olly Woodburn touched down three times to power the hosts to a 17-0 advantage in the opening quarter, though the visitors cut the margin to 10 points by half-time.

Early second-half scores from Kane James and Ethan Roots extended the Chiefs' lead before Ollie Harris crossed the whitewash in response for Bristol.

Despite Sam Harris receiving a yellow card with twenty minutes remaining, Exeter refused to yield any further points, and James secured his second touchdown late in the match to wrap up the result. Speaking afterwards to BBC Radio Devon, Baxter highlighted his squad's determination and raised performance under duress, commending their physicality and set-piece strength in the scrum and maul while acknowledging that lineout execution, loose breakdowns, and avoidable penalties remain areas for ongoing refinement.