Exeter stun Saracens with late comeback

Saracens 24-30 Exeter Chiefs, StoneX Stadium

Exeter Chiefs produced a dramatic late turnaround to defeat Saracens 30-24 at a packed StoneX Stadium, scoring three tries in the final quarter to stun the home side after trailing for much of the contest.

The visitors made the brighter start and opened the scoring inside four minutes when Henry Slade kicked a penalty to make it 3-0. Saracens responded swiftly and decisively. A loose Exeter pass was intercepted by Noah Caluori, who sprinted 50 metres to score under the posts. Owen Farrell converted to give the hosts a 7-3 lead.

Saracens struck again soon after. A penalty kicked to the corner set up a driving maul, and when the ball was shifted wide, Max Malins finished in the corner to extend the advantage making it 12-3.

Exeter thought they had replied through Bachuki Tchumbadze, but the try was ruled out for an illegal clearout and Tom Hooper was sent to the sin bin.

Despite being down to 14 men, Exeter stayed in touch. Slade landed a long-range penalty before half-time, and just before the break a mix-up under the high ball allowed Campbell Ridl to gather and feed Stephen Varney, who scored. Slade converted to give Exeter a 13-12 half-time lead.

Saracens regained control early in the second half when a deliberate knock-on in the corner resulted in a penalty try and a second yellow card for Exeter. The hosts then secured the bonus point as sustained pressure ended with Caluori crossing for his second try in the 55th minute, pushing the lead to 24-13.

With 15 minutes remaining, the momentum swung decisively. Exeter kicked to the corner and a rolling maul saw Greg Fisilau score from the base. Moments later, space out wide allowed Olly Woodburn to break and Fisilau powered over again to put Exeter ahead 25-24 after Slade’s conversion.

Saracens had chances to respond, including a long-range Farrell penalty that drifted wide. In the final moments, Exeter sealed the win when Slade collected loose ball and raced 50 metres to score, completing a remarkable comeback.

Team line up:

Saracens: Daly; Caluori, Tompkins, Hartley, Malins; Farrell, Van Zyl; Carre, Dan, Street, Isiekwe, Tizard, Gonzalez, Earl, Willis

Reserves: George, Mawi, Riccioni, Wilson, Onyeama-Christie, C Bracken, Burke, Segun

Exeter: Woodburn; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Ikitau, Ridl; Skinner, Varney; Goodrick-Clarke, Yeandle, Tchumbadze, Jenkins, Zambonin, Hooper, Roots, Fisilau

Reserves: Heaven, Sio, Roots, Pearson, James, Chapman, Haydon-Wood, Rigg