Leicester Tigers 66-14 Exeter Chiefs: Hosts romp to PREM Rugby Cup Final victory scoring ten tries at Welford Road

Leicester Tigers racked up ten tries as they romped to victory over Exeter Chiefs at Welford Road to secure the PREM Rugby Cup.

Belying the sole point separating the sides in the Rugby Premiership table, the Tigers dominated from the first whistle.

Three tries were on the board in the first 13 minutes, with Will Wand, Archie van der Flier and Billy Searle scoring - and they would all touch down again later in the game.

Five tries in all came before the break with Ross Vintcent's score for the visitors on the stroke of half-time looking like a consolation even then - and so it proved as van Der Flier stole a try, tapping down on the ball around the ruck three minutes into the second half.

A penalty try followed a few minutes later bringing them to the cusp of the half-century mark and allowing them the luxury of taking off player of the match Searle, with the job already done.

The Tigers scored three more tries, with Will Haydon-Wood notching one for the opposition as the margin ended at 52 points on a day to remember for the home fans.

The Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby was typically honest in his assessment after the game.

Tigers head coach Geoff Parling credited all the squad who played a part in helping Leicester to the PREM cup victory.

"It's been a lot of hard work from the start of the season," Parling said.

"Lots of guys have chipped in for each other so really pleased.

"A big effort by everybody. However small someone thinks their part is, it's not. It really matters. Everyone has chipped in throughout the competition and really pleased we got to do it in front of our home fans as well.

"It's been a great chance for young guys to put their hands up. Will Wand has been outstanding and grown for us. Harry Palmer made his debut. A chance for young guys mixed with older blokes and some internationals who have had game time.

"It's been a real squad effort, but our mind is already on Bristol, who have had two weeks of prep. But really pleased we got to lift that today.

"We'll find out. A week can change everything in sport and we have to keep working hard and make sure we turn up on Tuesday, because how we train is how we play."

Tigers skipper Tommy Refell said the Tigers' win was reward for the hard work they put in during the Six Nations period.

"I think we worked really hard in this Six Nations period to get a home semi-final and a home final," Refell said.

"Credit to the boys, especially the ones who stepped up and delivered.

"It's brilliant and you could definitely hear them today even in this weather. They turn up week-in week-out for us and they're unbelievable. Massive thank you to them.

"We said we wanted to start well and play the conditions, put ourselves on the front foot. We said we just wanted to shift the ball and play a bit. Credit to Izaia (Perese) and Billy Searle, they put us in the right areas and we turned pressure into points.

"When he (Whiteley) put in the cross-field kick I was a bit head in hands, but that's what we want from our boys. If they see something, take it and have a go.

"It's massive because the hard work that's gone on behind the scenes, from the coaches and backroom staff, to all the work they boys have done off the field to get the opportunity. Some of the boys haven't won anything and now they have, they'll want to win more.

On head coach, Geoff Parling: "He gets the club. He's put his idea across to the boys and they're fully going for it.

"It gives the boys a sense of silverware and you always want to crave more. You look at Bristol next week, it's another tough game but you have to go game by game, and hopefully we're in the mix towards the end."

It is a rare opportunity to play a final at home and player of the match Billy Searle said the players certainly appreciated this.

"It's massive for the club momentum-wise, pushing back into the Prem," Searle told TNT Sports.

"It's a real squad effort and everyone evolved throughout the competition, and in finals rugby we delivered under pressure. It's a massive day for us and trophy is a trophy. We'll take it and move on to the Prem.

"Special to have a final at home. Big crowd and big atmosphere and to put on a performance like that, it's really pleasing, and nice to win at home.

"You just take the conditions as it comes on the day. Probably not the most exciting rugby but you just try to move the ball. Scored five tries in the first half and we moved the ball, and our pressure and kick game put pressure on them and we fed off that.

"I'm loving it. I'm just enjoying playing here in front of this crowd, it's a real squad effort."

And they did it in style. Just the 52-point margin.

O'Connor misses another kick, this one a tricky one from the touchline.

Exeter's line out went way over the line out and the ball was played wide. A nice flick of the ball from Whiteley sent the ball to Perese and he passed wide to O'Connor to dive over in the corner.

It looked like it flicked his leg before the ball went out, but the TMO say he didn't touch it.

Searle misses this kick from just right of centre.

Almost 20 phases for Exeter but they never looked like getting anywhere and then Maloney lost the ball in the ruck and Thomas charged towards the line before feeding Haffar to finish the job.

Not a great deal of dare from either side and multiple substitutions disrupting any dwindling rhythm in the game.

His time in the sin bin is done.

A change of fly half but another perfect conversion.

An awful error from Haydon-Wood who kicks from five metres in front of his tryline straight into the arms of his soundalike opponent who weaves around a man and just stays in play before touching down. The TMO check if it is a try - and rule in the affirmative.

A good kick from near the right-hand side of the field.

A wrap around with Tuima's quick hands flicking out to his fly half when the defence expected them to power into the line.

So we are down to 14 a side now. And in a couple of minutes the Chiefs will have a man extra.