Exeter Chiefs beat Saracens to reach play-offs

Exeter Chiefs 32-12 Saracens, Sandy Park

Saracens’ winning streak came to an end at Sandy Park as Exeter Chiefs secured their place in the play-offs with victory in the final game of the regular season.

Difficult weather conditions played a major role throughout, with wind and rain affecting both sides. The opening exchanges were shaped by tactical kicking as both teams tried to judge the conditions.

Saracens applied early pressure through charge downs from Charlie Bracken and Theo McFarland. After an Exeter goal-line drop-out went directly into touch, Saracens were handed a strong attacking opportunity.

The visitors made it count. After working through several phases close to the line, Tom Willis carried powerfully to create momentum. Bracken then spotted space on the blindside and found Max Malins, who quickly released Tobias Elliott to score in the corner.

Exeter Respond Through Saracens Penalties

Exeter soon worked their way back into the contest as Saracens’ penalty count began to rise. A run of penalties shifted momentum towards the Chiefs, and Henry Slade reduced the deficit to two points from the tee.

Saracens thought they had struck again around the half-hour mark when Fergus Burke broke through near halfway and released Rotimi Segun. However, after a TMO review, Segun was judged to have knocked the ball on before grounding it.

Exeter then made Saracens pay late in the half. Three penalties in quick succession, the last of which led to Bracken being shown a yellow card, gave the home side the platform they needed. With the clock in the red, a well-worked line-out move allowed Max Norey to dive over in the corner to make it 8-5 at the end of the first half.

Chiefs Pull Away After The Break

Exeter began the second half strongly and took full advantage of the extra man. Slade finished a breakaway try inside the opening 10 minutes and later added a penalty to stretch the lead to make it 18-5.

Saracens continued to struggle with discipline, and another scrum penalty deep in their own territory gave Exeter the chance to tap and go. Andrea Zambonin eventually crashed over for the Chiefs’ third try of the afternoon.

Late Saracens Try Not Enough

Saracens fought back in the closing stages. A powerful break from Willis put Exeter under pressure, before Owen Farrell produced a fine pass to Malins out wide. Malins found Elliott, who then released Nick Isiekwe to sprint over in the corner.

But Exeter had the final word. Stephen Varney hacked through a loose ball, gathered the kind bounce and scored to seal the bonus-point win.

The result ended Saracens’ winning run and confirmed Exeter’s place in the play-offs.

Team line up:

Exeter: Woodburn; Brown-Bampoe, Slade, Ikitau, Ridl; Skinner, Varney; Sio, Norey, Iosefa-Scott, Jenkins (capt), Zambonin, Hooper, Tshiunza, Roots.

Reserves: Dweba,Burger, Tchumbadze,Tuima, James, Cairns, Wimbush, Hammersley.

Saracens: Malins; Elliott, Tompkins, Hartley, Segun; Burke, Bracken; Mawi, George, Stree, Itoje (capt), Tizard, McFarland, Earl, Willis.

Reserves: Dan, Carre, Riccioni, Isiekwe, Michelow, Van Zyl, Farrell, Caluori.