Exeter strengthen chance of home play-off with 24-12 win over Saracens

Exeter Chiefs 24-12 Saracens, Sandy Park
Scorecard

Exeter Chiefs have boosted their chance of sealing a home play-off as they went on to beat Saracens 24-12 in their Aviva Premiership face-off at Sandy Park on Sunday.

The win has taken Exeter Chiefs to 61 points in the table - seven over second-placed Saracens.

On his first start in the Premiership, Joe Simmonds kicked three penalties in the first 26 minutes to help Exeter gain an early nine-point lead.

Ben Earl led the fightback from Saracens as he ran from outside Exeter 22 to score the opening try in the game in the 32nd minute and a conversion Ben Spencer brought down the gap to two points.

Simmonds continued his impressive run as he made an excellent pass to send Phil Dollman over the line but at the stroke of half-time Schalk Brits touched down as Sarries maintained their two point trail heading into the break.

Saracens had a chance to claim the lead for the first time in the game but Spencer missed a chance to score a penalty in the 58th minute. However, five minutes later Exeter increased their lead to five points following the fourth penalty kick from Simmonds.

Saracens, despite playing some adventurous rugby with ball in hand, were a distant second-best in the scrums, and Exeter continued asserted an advantage that ultimately led to referee Matt Carley awarding them a penalty try eight minutes from time.

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