Saracens 18 Exeter Chiefs 20

Just as Sandy Park remains a fortress for the Exeter Chiefs, so Allianz Park is regarded as just the same for European champions Saracens.

Undefeated on their own patch for 21 months, it took a monumental effort from Rob Baxter’s side to emerge victorious from this brutal Aviva Premiership contest with a priceless four points.

The victory, Exeter’s seventh of the campaign, not only ensured the reigning English champions remain top of the pile after nine rounds but, more importantly, they are now five points ahead of Mark McCall’s side, who are next best in the standings on 30 points.

Trailing 15-6 at the turn after Alex Goode and Schalk Brits had raced in for tries for the hosts, Devon’s finest showed their own colours after the break as Ian Whitten and Moray Low bagged a try apiece to silence a capacity home crowd.

Fly-half Gareth Steenson completed the job for the Chiefs, converting both tries, as well as two penalties, while Ben Spencer and Marcelo Bosch grabbed the additional points for Saracens.

Although both sides were shorn of key personnel due to international call-ups and injuries, the on-field cast for this televised Sunday showdown was still pretty formidable with household names aplenty in the respective line-ups.

As expected the early skirmishes were brutal as players from both sides threw themselves into some heavyweight collisions with little care for their own welfare. Defences dominated the opening five minutes, before the Chiefs finally broke the deadlock just moments later.

For the fill match report, go to: https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/saracens-18-chiefs-20