Harlequins 26 Chiefs 39

Good Friday turned out to be a ‘Great Friday’ as Exeter Chiefs maintained their top two status in the Aviva Premiership with victory over Harlequins.

Rob Baxter’s side produced one of their best displays of the season so far to record yet another maximum haul against the star-studded Londoners at the Twickenham Stoop.

Lachie Turner (pictured) bagged two tries on his recall to the starting line-up, while Dave Ewers, Michele Campagnaro and Henry Slade also got in on the try-scoring act for the free-scoring Devonians.

Slade and replacement Gareth Steenson completed the job for the visitors who, with two games left in the scheduled season, remain on course for home advantage in the end of season play-offs.

The visitors, however, were made to fight for at least an hour by Harlequins, who countered with tries from Mat Luamanu, Tim Visser and Nick Evans, who also slotted three penalties, alongside a late conversion from Tim Swiel.

Having secured maximum reward from two tough home encounters against Sale Sharks and Bristol, the Chiefs arrived in the capital looking to preserve their impressive unbeaten run in the top flight, which stretched back to the end of October when Bath triumphed at Sandy Park.

The visiting line-up, however, was much changed from that which had faced Bristol just six days earlier.  Injuries to Mitch Lees, Jonny Hill and Thomas Waldrom forced Baxter into bringing in Geoff Parling, Ewers and Kai Horstmann, whilst there were also starts for a new front-row of Carl Rimmer, Jack Yeandle and Greg Holmes.

Behind the pack, Italian international Campagnaro got the nod at centre, while leading try-scorer James Short was also back having sat out the last two matches.

Harlequins, meanwhile, were fully loaded as they looked to keep alive their top six hopes, fielding a star-studded line-up that included the likes of Messrs Marler, Horwill, Robshaw, Care, Roberts and Brown.

For the full match report, go to: http://exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/harlequins-19-chiefs-39/

Picture: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency