Chiefs thwarted in nail-biter

Exeter’s hopes of becoming the first-ever side to lift back-to-back LV= Cup titles were thwarted at the death as Ben Spencer kicked a last-gasp penalty to give Saracens victory in a thrilling encounter in Northampton.

Having battled their way back from 20-6 down midway through the second half, the Chiefs were ultimately denied when the former Ivybridge Community College student punished Greg Bateman’s late indiscretion with a pressure kick.

It was a heart-breaking moment for the defending champions, who having led 6-3 at the break thanks to two penalties from skipper Ceri Sweeney, were then hit with a brace of second half tries from winger David Strettle (2) and Nick De Jager.

To their credit, the Chiefs refused to lie down and having clawed their way back into the contest with a converted score from full-back Max Bodilly, the young Cornishman repeated the feat late in the game to tie the game.

In the end, it was not to be for Rob Baxter’s squad, who will now switch their attentions to pressing matters both in the Aviva Premiership and European Challenge Cup in the coming weeks.

However, they will take plenty of positives and plenty of heart from a never-say-die display that showed the significant progress that has been made inside a year.

Having inflicted a first semi-final defeat on Leicester Tigers since 1997 the week previous, it was little surprise that the Chiefs stuck largely with the same formula for their latest trip to the East Midlands.

The sole change in the starting XV was an enforced one as an ankle injury to Sam Simmonds meant he missed out, so Joel Conlon was promoted from the bench and England international Tom Johnson filled the vacancy.

Likewise, Saracens – who overcame Northampton Saints in the last four – were happy to again go with their tried and trusted as they made just a solitary change, Rhys Gill’s promotion to the Welsh squad in midweek meant Richard Barrington came into their front-row.

For the full report see http://exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/saracens-23-chiefs-20/