The local derby was played in front of a record crowd at Sandy Park

Exeter Chiefs won the West Country Christmas derby with a 38-7 win over Cornish Pirates at Sandy Park.

Josh�Drauniniu went in for the only score of the first half to give the Chiefs a 5-0 lead at the break.

Exeter then ran in three quick tries early in the second period, including two from full-back Sean Marsden.

Matt Jess secured the bonus point with the fifth before�Rhodri McAtee got a consolation for the Pirates�and Tom Bedford got the Chiefs final try.

The game was played in front of 7,345 spectators, a record crowd for redeveloped Sandy Park.

Exeter have close the gap to eight points again on unbeaten leaders Leeds, who maintained their 100 per cent record with a crushing 66-10 win at Otley on Boxing Day.

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