Aviva Premiership: Wasps 27-41 Exeter Chiefs

Mitch Lees capitalised on a dominant Chiefs' rolling maul that provided three of Exeter's four first-half tries.

Thomas Waldrom scored a hat-trick as Exeter Chiefs ran out 41-27 winners over Wasps in a thrilling 9-try encounter at the Ricoh Arena.

Two first half-tries from the number 8 alongside scores from Jack Nowell and man-of-the-match Mitch Lees gifted Exeter a commanding 27-6 lead.

Wasps launched a fightback through Frank Halai, Ashley Johnson and Matt Mullan before a further score from Waldrom and close range effort from Low sealed the victory for the Chiefs.

Gareth Steenson opened the scoring after a strong period of possession for the away side, Wasps were caught offside in midfield and the fly-half slotted the three points.

Thomas Waldrom scored a first-half double giving Exeter a 13-27 lead at the break.

The impressive Chiefs start continued when Waldrom rumbled over from the back of a driving maul on 13 minutes.

An inch perfect penalty kick to touch from the boot of fly-half Steenson set up the move before the Exeter pack exerted forward dominance setting up the score for the number 8.

Jimmy Goppeth slotted a penalty attempt before the Chiefs' further extended their lead when Nowell rounded off a slick attacking play involving Will Chudley and flanker Tom Johnson, giving the England winger space on the outside to finish the move.

Goppeth reduced the deficit to nine points on 27 minutes, but Exeter soon struck back through another highly-effective rolling maul, scampering over the Wasps' line with ease.

Lees dotted down before Steenson added the further two points.

Ashley Johnson crossed to level the game up on 52 minutes.

Exeter went for the kill and secured the bonus shortly before the break when Steenson turned down a kickable penalty and kicked to touch.

The juggernaut Chiefs' pack continued their rolling maul masterclass, riding the Wasps pressure and setting up Waldrom for his second of the match.

The Ricoh Arena finally had something to shout about on the stroke of half-time when George Smith put through an excellent kick for Halai to score, however the 27-13 scoreline still made for uncomfortable reading for the Wasps' faithful.

Wasps' started the second-half firing when Ben Jacobs broke through the Wasps defence to set up a fine attacking position. However it was Ashley Johnson who got his name on the scoresheet as the hooker bulldozered his way over.

The Chiefs win was dampened by the loss of Henry Slade to a serious looking leg injury.

Wasps' fightback continued on 52 minutes when Lorenzo Chittadini burrowed over from close range drawing his side level.

The game swung back in Exeter's favour when their pack drove Waldrom over the line for his hat-trick, the first player to do so for the club in the Premiership.

Exeter received a huge blow 15 minutes from time when Henry Slade was stretchered off with a serious looking ankle injury before Moray Low capitalised on a pick and go move and sealed the game for the Devon side with their sixth try.