Chiefs book their place in Premiership final

Exeter Chiefs 18 Saracens 16

London’s Calling once again for Exeter Chiefs after they produced a dramatic finale to sink Saracens in this pulsating Aviva Premiership semi-final encounter at Sandy Park.

With just over a minute remaining, Henry Slade looked up, took aim, before delivering a telling blow for Devon’s finest.

His 40-metre kick to the corner not only put Euro Kings Saracens on the back foot but, more crucially, it put him and his team-mates in prime position to strike.

In what was literally a last throw of the dice for Rob Baxter’s side, the gamble paid dividends as the resultant line-out was gathered and the assembled Black Mass formed as one to propel replacement Sam Simmonds over for the all-important, winning score.

Sandy Park duly erupted, the Chiefs celebrated, while Sarries looked crest-fallen having given a herculean effort. Finishes simply don’t get any more dramatic than this.

Up until that moment, the two rivals had slugged in out in a heavyweight encounter in which both teams gave every ounce of blood, sweat and tears. In the end, however, it was the Chiefs who prospered thanks to tries from Jack Nowell and Simmonds, plus a further eight points from the boot of skipper Gareth Steenson.

In reply, Saracens led early on thanks to two Owen Farrell penalties and they claimed tries later in the game through wingers Chris Wyles and Mike Ellery.

However, it was not enough against a workmanlike Chiefs outfit.

Having edged Sarries out in terms of league positions at the end of the scheduled season, Baxter’s side were hoping home advantage would prove pivotal in their quest to down the reigning top flight and European champions.

With Sarries arriving in Devon having reclaimed Europe’s top prize the week previous in Edinburgh, they made just one enforced change to their starting personnel. It came in the centre where skipper Brad Barritt had failed to recover from a leg injury, so into the fray came Duncan Taylor.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, had a number of key faces back having missed out in the last game away to Gloucester.  Full-back Phil Dollman was one of the returning stars, as were Don Armand and Thomas Waldrom in the back-row.

Personnel in place, the Chiefs – led out by Ian Whitten on his 100th league appearance for the club – took to the field to a wall of a noise from a thunderous Sandy Park crowd.

Up against a stiff breeze in the opening half, it was the Londoners who made the first impression, England international Farrell firing them in front on five minutes with a long-range penalty.

It was the ideal start for the visitors, but they were forced into a double change with just ten minutes on the clock as both Michael Rhodes and Chris Ashton limped out of the action.

Undeterred, Mark McCall’s all-conquering outfit continued to press in attack and they doubled their advantage through a second Farrell penalty after referee Wayne Barnes pulled up the Chiefs for dropping a five-metre scrum.

Keen to avoid a repeat of last season’s Premiership Final, where Saracens dominated the first half at HQ, the Chiefs looked to summon a swift response.  Initially they did well to repel another visiting attack, before they countered with their first telling blow.

James Short, up against his former employers, lapped up a loose pass, tore down field to gain crucial territory for the Devonians. As the cavalry followed in hot pursuit, Sarries scrambled, albeit illegally, gifting the hosts an attacking platform.

Although the resultant five-metre line-out drive got within range, again Sarries infringed this time allowing Steenson the chance to pot over his first points of the contest.

The kick ignited not only the home faithful, but also the Chiefs – who sensed their edge in the scrum – could be a key factor in which to attack.

Roared on from all four corners, Baxter’s men lay siege on the visiting line again. Wave upon wave of attacked followed, forcing a second penalty that the deadly Steenson dispatched with aplomb.

Whereas the first quarter had been all about the champions, now it was the Chiefs who ruling the roost. Waldrom threatened when he picked off the base of a five-metre scrum, only to be felled by a hefty collision from opposite number Billy Vunipola; then Jack Nowell came within a whisker of scooting his way through the middle only to be denied at the death.

HALF TIME EXETER CHIEFS 6 SARACENS 6

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Picture: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency