Exeter Chiefs reclaim top place with 14-7 win over Saracens

Exeter Chiefs 14-7 Saracens, Sandy Park
Scorecard

Exeter Chiefs managed to hold off Saracens as they sealed a 14-7 win in the seventh round of the Gallagher Premiership clash at Sandy Park on Sunday.

The win has taken Exeter to the top of the Gallagher Premiership table with their fifth victory from seven games while Saracens are currently languishing at the bottom with -12 points.

Nic White capitalised on a poor pass from Max Malins allowing the scrum-half to crossover for an easy try and Joe Simmonds followed with the conversion to make it 7-0.

Indiscipline proved costly for Saracens as Owen Farrell missed a couple of early penalties and Mark McCall's men struggled to find a breakthrough despite Exeter losing Harry Williams to yellow-card in the 25th minute. Farrell missed another easy penalty goal heading into the break as the visitors continued to trail by seven points.

Exeter managed to double the lead at the start of the second half when Jacques Vermeulen battled his way over the line in the 52nd minute and Simmonds was once again spot on with the conversion.

The intensity sparked in the closing stage between White and Duncan Taylor leading to a brawl on the sidelines involving a number of players including Williams, who was replaced earlier after failing a Head Injury Assessment.

Williams was red-carded after the incident and few minutes later Exeter also lost Dave Ewers to sin-bin for collapsing a maul that also resulted in a penalty try for Saracens, which were their only points in the match.