Match Centre: London Irish 18-14 Exeter Chiefs

London Irish 18-14 Exeter Chiefs, Community Stadium

London Irish came from behind to complete a rare double over Exeter Chiefs as they sealed a thrilling 18-14 win in the 14th round of the Gallagher Premiership at Community Stadium on Saturday.

This was also the first time the Exiles have completed a league double over Exeter in 11 years as they moved to sixth place in the table with 35 points while Exeter are at seventh with 34 points.

The Chiefs had a dominating opening quarter as an excellent break provided by Joe Simmonds allowed Olly Woodburn to dive under the posts and Joe Simmonds followed with the conversion making it 0-7.

The visitors doubled their tally in the 17th minute as this time a well-executed 50-22 from Joe provided Patrick Schickerling with an opportunity as he touched down and the Exeter fly-half also kicked the conversion to make it 0-14.

The start of the second quarter saw Matt Cornish touchdown following a pressure on Exeter line. Paddy Jackson missed out on the conversion but kicked two successive penalties as the scoreline became 11-14 around the half-hour mark.

The home side completed the opening half in front as James Stookes capitalised on a pass from Ben Loader to dot down and Jackson got the conversion right this time as the teams went into the break with a 18-14 scoreline.

London Irish looked threatening in the second half but a firm defence from Exeter kept them in check. Exeter had a final chance as they came close but had a knock on inside the Irish 22 as the chance went begging while Jackson missed out two penalties in the final five minutes. However, it did not cost London Irish as they completed a four-point victory.

Team line up:

London Irish: Stokes; Loader, Rona, Van Rensburg, Cinti; Jackson, Phipps; Goodrick-Clarke, Cornish, Hoskins, Simmons, Coleman, Rogerson, Pearson, O'Brien.

Reserves: Willemse, Gigena, Van der Merwe, Munga, Cracknell, Martin Gonzalez, O'Sullivan, Rowe.

Exeter: Hogg; Woodburn, Whitten, H Skinner, O'Flaherty; J Simmonds, J Maunder; Kenny, Innard, Schickerling, Gray, S Skinner, Ewers, Kirsten, Armand.

Reserves: Yeandle, Keast, Iosefa-Scott, Jenkins, Grondona, S Maunder, O'Brien, Hodge.