Chiefs defy the odds to progress
The Chiefs started the day third in Pool 2 but scored five tries to earn a bonus which took Ospreys from top of the group to third.
Exeter played like a team that believed they could pull off a shock, while Ospreys struggled throughout. Wing James Short, who had a stunning match, and England No.8 Thomas Waldrom scored a brace of tries each, with Kai Horstmann also crossing.
The attacking bonus point, coupled with denying Ospreys a losing bonus, meant Exeter finished the pool stages as winners of Pool Two as a result of points difference – edging Bordeaux-Begles.
A rapid opening from the Chiefs saw them quickly set up camp within the Ospreys half and having won a penalty, it was the quick-thinking of Waldrom that caught the visitors napping in defence. His burst propelled Exeter at pace towards the line where, following a series of close-in raids, it was Armand who emerged from the mass of bodies to celebrate the opening try, which Steenson converted.
Home cheers, however, proved short-lived as back roared the Ospreys within a few minutes, wing Dirksen finding his way over the line after the home side had initially done well to thwart scrumhalf Brendon Leonard, who had exploited the numbers game by raiding down the blindside of a scrum.
Bigger slotted the extras to restore parity with just seven minutes on the clock.
The Chiefs quickly got themselves back onto the offensive when scrumhalf Dave Lewis burst clear, before Michele Campagnaro took up the charge to get the Chiefs close. With the try-line beckoning, the forwards took charge, inching their way forward for Waldrom to burrow over for his second try of the match. Steenson made no mistake with the conversion.
Chances get coming but there was to be no further change on the scoreboard as Exeter held a slender 14-7 lead at the break.
The Chiefs were penalised early in the second half for not rolling away at the breakdown and Biggar took full advantage, reducing the deficit to just four points.
The Welsh side's hoped were dashed a few minutes later when hooker Scott Baldwin was sent to the sin-bin for a late tackle and Exeter took full advantage.
Steenson collected and chipped the ball over the top to pick out the onrushing Short, who collected at pace before turning on the after burners to out sprint Justin Tipuric to the line. Short then doubled his tally with an equally impressive finish, this time dotting down after Waldrom and Phil Dollman had created the opening for him to fend off Biggar.
With the job effectively done and dusted in their eyes, they made light of leaking a converted penalty try to finish with a bang.
The forwards did the donkey work, before replacement Haydn Thomas took charge, creating the platform for Waldrom to burrow over for his 10th try of the campaign. Will Hooley banged over the conversion.
Scorers:
For Exeter Chiefs:
Tries: Horstmann, Waldrom 2, Short 2
Cons: Steenson 3, Hooley
For Ospreys:
Tries: Dirksen, Penalty try
Cons: Biggar 2
Pen: Biggar
Yellow card: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys, 48)
Teams:
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Olly Woodburn, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Ian Whitten, 11 James Short, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Dave Lewis, 8 Tom Waldrom, 7 Don Armand, 6 Kai Horstmann, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Jonny Hill, 3 Alex Brown, 2 Jack Yeandle, 1 Alec Hepburn.
Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Ollie Atkins, 20 Tom Johnson, 21 Haydn Thomas, 22 Will Hooley, 23 Max Bodilly.
Ospreys: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Hanno Dirksen, 13 Jonathan Spratt, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 James King, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Sam Underhill, 5 Alun-Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Lloyd Ashley, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Rory Thornton, 20 Dan Baker, 21 Thomas Habberfield, 22 Sam Davies , 23 Owen Watkin.
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
