The giant wing finished off a thrilling break by full back Matthew Morgan to ease the Blues into a 10-7 lead in the first half and then latched onto an inch-perfect chip pass from former Wales Under 20 outside half Jarrod Evans.
His second try took the Blues to within two points of the English champions after 50 minutes and then Evans chipped over a penalty to make it 18-17 with 16 minutes to go. It was a polished performance from the Blues and Danny Wilson was able to utilise many of the rising young stars in his squad to give them a taste of what it’s like to face one of Europe’s top sides.
Just as they had done a week earlier against the Dragons, the Chiefs used their much vaunted driving maul to good effect as they picked up tries from back row men Don Armand and Scott Simmonds from close range. Henry Slade converted them both.
Slade replied to Evans’ penalty to hoist the Chiefs back into the lead at 20-18, but Evans kicked a second after the Blues scrum had won a penalty in front of the posts. That made it 21-20 with nine minutes left and the youngsters were able to hold out as Slade had an injury time drop goal attempt charged down in front of the posts.
Scorers: Blues: Tries: Aled Summerhill (17, 50); Con: Steve Shingler (18); Pens: Jarrod Evans (64, 71), Steve Shingler (9). Chiefs: Tries: Don Armand (13), Sam Simmonds (32); Cons: Henry Slade (14,33); Pen: Henry Slade (49, 66)
Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Alex Cuthbert, Garyn Smith, Willis Halaholo, Aled Summerhill; Steve Shingler, Lloyd Williams; Rhys Gill, Matthew Rees, Tau Filise, Seb Davies, Damian Welch, Macauley Cook, Ellis Jenkins (captain), Josh Navidi
Reps: Kirby Myhill, Corey Domachowski, Keiron Assiratti, James Down, Josh Turnbull, Tomos Williams, Jarrod Evans, Harri Millard, Owen Lane, Tom James, Dan Fish, Sion Bennett, Kristian Phillips
Exeter Chiefs: Phill Dollman; Ollie Woodburn, Michele Campagnaro, Ian Whitten, James Short; Henry Slade, Nic White; Ben Moon, Jack Yeandle (captain), Harry Williams, Dave Dennis, Jonny Hill, Sam Skinner, Don Armand, Sam Simmonds
Reps: Taione, Rimmer, Tomas Francis, Ollie Atkins, Matt Kvesic, Jack Maunder, Gareth Steenson, Max Bodilly, Shaun Molton, Moray Low, Greg Holmes, Toby Salmon, Julian Salvi, Will Chudley, Joe Simmonds, Lachlan Turner
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
