Exeter Chiefs Men v Harlequins

Exeter Chiefs played the game to the death as they were narrowly edged out by Harlequins at Sandy Park in round five of the Gallagher PREM.

The game came down to the dying embers but Chiefs had to settle for two losing bonus points having scored four tries and been within three points at the final whistle.

In a similar fashion to last weekend against their London rivals, Harlequins were on the board early. Playing with advantage for a knock-on on their 10-metre line, they released the ball wide. Marcus Smith took the important carry up to the edge of the 22 before sending his captain Cadan Murley over the line with a well-timed pass before converting the score.

Harlequins’ right wing Nick David also got in on the try-scoring action. Running a training field play in the Chiefs 22, a pop pass found David on the shoulder who scampered over for five points. Smith took the clean conversion.

Having taken some time to get into the game, Chiefs responded just shy of 20 minutes played. Backing the power of their pack, the decision was made to go to the corner with a penalty in the Harlequins 22. An overthrow from Jack Yeandle was saved by Josh Iosefa-Scott at the rear of the set and the Exeter men went to the repeated phases. Harry Wilson took the deciding carry to batter his way over for his first Chiefs try which Henry Slade converted into the sunshine.

Harlequins were reduced to 14 men shortly thereafter. Intervention from the TMO alerted the referee Joe James to a high tackle on back-rower Ethan Roots. Centre Bryn Bradley was judged to have been high but with a low degree of danger, so was shown a yellow card and sent for 10 minutes in the sin-bin.

Georgian powerhouse Nika Abuladze got himself on the scoresheet for his first Chiefs try just before the break. Multiple advantages had come Chiefs’ way and they utilised the tap-and-go. As Harlequins awaited the carry off the ruck, Abuladze surged over the top to place the ball down. Slade added the conversion to bring the sides level at half-time.

Chiefs came out the blocks firing for the second half. Always a combative ball-carrier, Will Butt took the ball into contact, where a forceful spin broke him free. Seeing clean air ahead of him, the big centre charged for the line and a solo try. His centre partner Slade converted the score.

Harlequins came back with two tries for Lucas Schmid, as the young back-rower found the line 12 minutes apart. His first was from a pick-and-go while his second saw the ball fired wide to him and his large stride carried him over. His fly-half Smith converted the first.

As Chiefs fought to muscle their way back into the game, Harlequins turned the tide and scored another. Club centurion Jack Kenningham took a desperate pass in the five-metre channel and slid in at the corner flag. Smith’s conversion attempt again pulled wide.

The home crowd swelled to support the Chiefs comeback. Working their way down field, the forward pack diligently did the grunt work deep in Harlequins territory before Olly Woodburn found the defence napping when he took an unsuspected dive from the ruck to the line. Slade kept his cool at the tee and brought his side within a kickable penalty.

With seconds left on the clock, Chiefs were on the advance with back-to-back penalties To the heartbreak of the home crowd, however, the last lineout went awry and Harlequins kicked the ball into touch for the final whistle.