Exeter Chiefs survive Sale Sharks scare to win 30-25

Exeter Chiefs 30-25 Sale Sharks, Sandy Park
Scorecard

Exeter Chiefs have boosted their chances of securing a home play-off after their bonus point victory over Sale Sharks in their Aviva Premiership clash at Sandy Park on Saturday.

The win has taken Chiefs level table topper Wasps with 64 points but Dai Young's men have an additional game in hand while Sale Sharks are struggling at the 10th position with 30 points from 18 games.

Wing Denny Solomona scored the only try for Sale Sharks which came in the 21st minute while fly-half AJ MacGinty contributed with four penalties and a conversion to take Sale Sharks to 19 points.

Flanker Kai Horstmann (24') and hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie (38') crossed over for the home side as they ended the first half trailing by 12-19.

Wing Olly Woodburn's cross over in the 45th minute reduced the gap down to two points following which Henry Slade and his counterpart MacGinty exchanged penalties. Just as the game was heading for a tight finish, flanker Don Armand gave Exeter clear advantage with a 65th minute try while Slade added a penalty and a conversion.

Exeter Chiefs had a lead of eight points heading into the final five minutes and sealed an important victory despite MacGinty's sixth penalty that came in the added minutes.