Exeter Chiefs ends Saracens' dominance with 18-16 win in semi-final

Exeter Chiefs 18-16 Saracens, Sandy Park
Scorecard

Sam Simmonds scored the decisive final try for Exeter Chiefs as they managed to reach the Aviva Premiership for final for the second time in a row after edging the defending champions Saracens 18-16 in a tight encounter at Sandy Park on Saturday.

The result also brings an end to Saracens' hopes of repeating their double triumph this season while Exeter Chiefs will go on to lock horns with Wasps in the final at Twickenham Stadium on 27th May.

Fly-half Owen Farrell kicked the proceedings for Saracens with two penalties in the first 15 minutes but Exeter Chiefs bounced back with Gareth Steenson scoring two penalties of his own to level the scores 6-6 heading into the half time.

Jack Nowell surprised Mark McCall's men as he scored the first try in the game at the start of the second half and the lead for Exeter increased to seven points after conversion from Steenson.

The Allianz Park outfit looked in no mood to give up as Chris Wyles crossed over in the 56th minute but Farrell missed out on the conversion as the two point deficit remained heading into the final 10 minutes.

Just when replacement Mike Ellery got Saracens into a three point lead with his touchdown in the 75th minute, Henry Slade kicked a perfect penalty deep into Saracens 22 as Exeter secured the line-out, allowing Simmonds to score the final try, thereby winning the game by two points.