Hard work from Chiefs impresses Hepher

ENGLAND hopefuls Jonny Hill and Sam Simmonds scored hat-tricks as Exeter cruised to a nine-try win.

The Chiefs had the bonus point wrapped up inside half an hour as Simmonds twice went over along with Hill’s first and a fine try by Jack Nowell.

Hill completed his hattrick – the first in the Premiership by a lock since Simon Shaw for Wasps against Saracens in March 2003 – late in the first half before Stuart Hogg crossed 30 seconds after the restart.

Jacques Vermeulen got the eighth try and Simmonds added his third before Ashley Beck scored a consolation.

Exeter coach Ali Hepher said: “The important thing is how hard we worked – I’m really pleased as the stats show it was one of our most hard-working performances of the season.”

Exeter selected a strong XV including 11 internationals, while Worcester rested most of their firstchoice side.

Both Simmonds and

Hill’s first two tries came from close range forward drives while Nowell showed his power to drag three defenders over in the right corner. Hill completed his hat-trick with a 20m sprint after a run from Nowell.

Henry Slade’s looping pass found Alex Cuthbert on the wing who released Hogg to score. Vermeulen’s run from 30m earned their eighth try and Simmonds wrapped up his hat-trick from close range before Beck got a consolation try.

Worcester DoR Alan Solomons said: “Exeter were absolutely outstanding ...there were some positives, especially the last 20 minutes as we kept going to the end and were rewarded with a try.”