Exeter scored all their points in the first half to record a one-sided 21-3 victory over Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium yesterday.

Josh Beaumont will have been hoping to lay down his England credentials but was penalised early on for holding the ball up. This resulted in a penalty try and a sin-binning for the number eight. This had set the tone for the rest of the match as Exeter scored two further first-half tries through James Short and Will Chudley.

After half-time, the sides appeared to have consigned themselves to the result as Exeter made it three wins in a row. Sale will be disappointed with a result and a performance that sees them remain in ninth place.

In customary Chiefs style, the first try of the match came from a driving maul with eight minutes played. Referee Wayne Barnes penalised Beaumont for holding up the visitors’ pack by awarding a penalty try and sending the Sale captain to the sin-bin.

Gareth Steenson successfully converted before AJ MacGinty cut the deficit with a penalty for the hosts.