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Taylor try seals Wasps victory

Centre Jimmy Gopperth was the other major contributor with 15 points.

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It was Exeter who looked in control from the start, keeping Wasps at bay with Henry Slade's boot and tries from Thomas Waldrom and Will Chudley.

After Jimmy Gopperth's superb first-half finish, Wasps scrumhalf Dan Robson raced over and Taylor was on hand to finish off a driving maul that effectively sealed the victory.

Waldrom who was the top try-scorer in Premiership last season scored a try after three minutes, picking and driving after a well-set driving maul had taken the Chiefs within a metre.Taylor try seals Wasps victory

Slade knocked over the simple conversion and though Wasps came swiftly back into the game, it was the young England back who was next on the scoresheet, putting over a penalty after 15 minutes.

Gopperth pulled three points back for the hosts after Elliot Daly's excellent work from the restart with nearly 20 minutes gone.

Guy Thompson's break up the middle provided the impetus for Wasps' first try, the flank making good ground before Dan Robson's wide ball found Gopperth.

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The New Zealander used superb footwork and swerve to out-fox Olly Woodburn and go over in the corner, but the 33-year-old was unable to convert.

Wasps looked to have gained the upper-hand with that score, but a loose kick allowed Chiefs back into the contest.

Chudley and Sam Hill exchanged passes and the scrumhalf showed brilliant pace to tear past the Wasps defence and over the line, with Slade converting again.

With 25 minutes remaining, slick hands from Danny Cipriani put Christian Wade into space and with just Slade to beat, the electric wing could well have gone around the outside, but he shifted inside and Robson was free to stride over for his side's second try.

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Chiefs had caused Wasps problems with their driving maul throughout last season's four clashes, but it was Wasps today who used the maul to perfection.

Taylor was the man to benefit, as Wasps powered over from a five-metre line-out and with Gopperth converting they moved into the lead for the first time.

Slade missed a crucial penalty with ten minutes remaining that would have edged Chiefs back ahead before Gopperth completed a fine personal performance with a late penalty.

The Scorers:

For Wasps:

Tries:Gopperth, Robson, Taylor

Cons: Gopperth 2

Pens: Gopperth 2

For Exeter Chiefs:

Tries: Waldrom, Chudley

Cons: Slade 2

Pens: Slade 2

The teams:

Wasps: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Jimmy Gopperth, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Guy Thompson, 6 Sam Jones, 5 James Gaskell, 4 Joe Launchbury (captain), 3 Phil Swainston, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Matt Mullan.

Replacements: 16 Ashley Johnson, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Marty Moore, 19 Matt Symons, 20 Alex Rieder, 21 Joe Simpson, 22 Brendan Macken, 23 Frank Halai.

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Olly Woodburn, 13 Ollie Devoto, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Ian Whitten, 10 Henry Slade, 9 Will Chudley, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Don Armand (captain), 5 Damian Welch, 4 Mitch Lees, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie 1 Ben Moon.

Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Geoff Parling, 20 Dave Dennis, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 James Short.

Referee: Tom Foley

Assistant referees: Gareth Copsey, Jonathan Healy

TMO: Stuart Terhee

Source: @premrugby

Taylor try seals Wasps victory

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