QUINS TOO STRONG FOR CHIEFS

A difficult afternoon for Exeter Chiefs at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham saw them defeated by a resurgent Harlequins side in their Big Summer Kick-Off.

Chiefs led the encounter in the first half before the home side launched their comeback, scoring four tries in the second half, simultaneously holding Chiefs scoreless.

A prolific attacking threat this season so far, Campbell Ridl showed his skills in the opening minutes. A Chiefs maul drive was halted on the five-metre line, but Harvey Skinner spotted the option out wide, putting a chipped ball out to his winger to run in the score.

From one wing to another, Paul Brown-Bampoe was the man responsible for getting Chiefs on the front foot in the hunt for their second of the afternoon. Finding space down the five-metre channel, he drew Slade into the play before the centre gave the try assist pass to birthday boy Stephen Varney to complete the score. The conversion from Slade took Chiefs past the 10-point mark.

It was the big men who got the hosts on the board after more than 20 minutes played. Their maul was held up then splintered into two by the Chiefs defence but with quick recycles of possession, flanker Jack Kenningham was able to force his way over for the try. With Marcus Smith’s conversion, it became a one try game.

Chiefs’ hooker Max Norey soon rectified that, scoring a Twickenham try in the corner. Having thrown into the lineout, the front-rower immediately readied for a pop pass from Varney and the move straight off the training pitch paid off for the Exeter men.

The try bonus-point was wrapped up for Chiefs before the halfway mark. Working with possession in the Harlequins 22, Varney gave a perfectly weighted pass for Len Ikitau to run onto. The Wallabies centre took no asking, dancing his way through the defence for five points which Slade made seven with the conversion.

There was time in the half for Luke Northmore to barge through and mark his 100th Harlequins appearance with a try. Smith’s conversion further chipped into the Chiefs lead.

There was contention at the death of the half as Harlequins had a charge down try disallowed when it was deemed there was separation between hand and ball. Chiefs were able to take the goal line dropout and quickly see in half-time.

Quick feet and accurate handling saw Quins score first after the break. Utilising the gas in a back-tracking Chiefs defence, the London men ran the ball downfield before Cadan Murley received a spiral to the wing to run in the score.

Fresh on the field, Quins replacement Will Porter was the man responsible for bringing his side level with Chiefs and his score ultimately proved to be the true turning point of the fixture as the London men began to pull away.

Smith slotted a penalty before a yellow card for Chiefs’ replacement prop Bachuki Tchumbadze further dented hopes for an Exeter comeback.

The fairytale ending for the hosts of the Big Summer Kick-Off however, came in the closing four minutes of the encounter as they scored two quick tries in succession. The first saw Will Evans canter his way downfield, bumping off tackle attempts to score in the corner before Boris Wenger secured one for the big lads beneath the posts.

Smith’s conversion was knocked over the posts to the chorus of cheers as his teammates and supporters alike had already begun to celebrate.

Chiefs are now fourth position with 55 points with Northampton Saints top with 67, Bath Rugby with 63 and third are Leicester on 62.

Below Exeter are Saracens with 52 and Bristol Bears on 50 points.

There is a week's break next week due to the European Challenge Cup final, then it's back to business on Sunday 31st May with an away trip to Leicester Tigers with a 3.30pm kick off.