The hosts put five tries passed the visitors, with Sereli Naqeluviki's denying Harlequins a losing bonus point in the 76^th minute.

Harlequins by comparison struggled to make a real impact in the game, the Londoners lacked in defence, and in attack failed to gain serious momentum.

In the expansive conditions on a sun kissed Sandy Park, Exeter started strongly, catching Harlequins off guard. Despite an early exchange of kicks between Nick Evans and Gareth Steenson, it was the hosts that had a strangle hold on the game.

In defence Harlequins struggled to contain the Chiefs and the home side regularly made promising breaks.

When Evans tried to clear his lines on 13 minutes, he was charged down. Mike Brown did well to gather the ball and clear his lines deep inside the goal area, but his kick didn't go to touch. Luke Arscott gathered and charged forward. Making light work of the initial line of defence the full-back got his side up to within five metres.

With a scrambled Harlequins defence, the ball was shipped wide for Brett Sturgess to cross in the corner. The conversion was added, giving the hosts a 10-3 lead.

Steenson added another penalty, before Nick Evans responded with his boot. It was then the turn of Harlequins to capitalise on a charge down kick on 24 minutes. The visitors lost possession at a five metre lineout and when Steenson tried to clear, Evans charged down. The fly-half then pounced over the line to score, but was unable to add the extras, missing his second kick of the game, as Quins trailed 13-11.

Mike Brown was vital on two occasions in preventing an Exeter score in the closing stages of the second half. Dean Mumm, on his first senior appearance in a Chiefs shirt broke passed Charlie Matthews and offloaded to Tom Johnson. As the flanker charged down field, he looked sure to score but Brown scrambled across to tackle him into touch.

Brown's second defensive effort occurred on the opposite touchline, this time on Ian Whitten. Although not going into touch, it was enough to stop the charging winger. However Quins' ill-discipline in the following phases allowed Steenson to extend the lead.

Ugo Monye was able to give Harlequins a 16-18 lead just before half time after the visitors worked their way into the 22. Spreading it wide, the winger bundled over to score.

In the second half, the Chiefs started well and on 48 minutes, added their second try through Ben White. The conversion was added, extending the Chiefs' lead to 23-18.

Clegg, who replaced Evans early in the second half, previously missed a penalty and a touchfind, but made up for his errors by setting up a try for Karl Dickson. With the hour mark approaching, the fly-half broke from halfway and offloaded to the scrum-half to score. From in front of the posts, Clegg converted and gave Quins the narrowest of leads.

It wasn't long before the Chiefs took the lead again. They did so in style, through a brace from Jason Shoemark. Working the phases well from halfway the home side worked into the 22, spreading it wide, the centre skipped through Clegg and scored.

The centre then capitalised on a gift of possession. With Quins pinned in their 22 the ball was shipped down the back line. Steenson intercepted a pass to Jordan Turner-Hall and when Shoemark gathered possession, the Harlequins defence let him through.

Clegg looked to have nailed a losing bonus point for Harlequins with a penalty on 76 minutes, but the west countrymen were in no mood for giving the visitors that luxury.

Naqelevuki broke through the line and shunted past Rob Buchanan, Danny Care and Seb Stegmann to score. With Steenson's conversion, Exeter rounded off the compelling victory.