Braves 24 Harlequins 34

Exeter Braves 23

Harlequins 34

Mark Stevens at Sandy Park

Exeter's hopes of advancing to the latter stages of this season's Aviva Premiership A League are hanging by a thread after they slipped to defeat at home to Harlequins.

In a pulsating encounter at Sandy Park, the visitors claimed maximum reward from their trip to the Westcountry as they ran in tries from Joe Trayfoot, Charlie Walker, Jack Clifford and Ben Botica, who finished the night with an impressive 19-point haul.

The Braves played their part on the night claiming converted scores of their own through hooker Greg Bateman and winger Sam Blanchet, as well as further kicks from Ceri Sweeney and Jack Arnott. However, the loss - a second at home in the competition - means the Devon club will now have to depend on results elsewhere going in their favour if they are to advance into the last four.

Buoyed by previous wins over London Wasps, London Irish and Bath, it was another powerful line-up that took to the field for the Braves. Among those handed first home starts were summer signings Bateman, Romana Graham (pictured) and Don Armand, whilst behind there was additional experience provided from skipper Sweeney and South Sea Islanders Sireli Naqelevuki and Fetu'u Vainikolo.

Harlequins were also able to field a more than useful array of Premiership talent, which included the likes of skipper Dave Ward, Luke Wallace, George Merrick, Paul Sackey and Botica.

And it was the visitors who controlled the early exchanges in Devon as some hesitancy from home full-back Arnott - following a long clearance from Louis Grimoldby - allowed the Londoners to gain an early attacking platform.

Looking to work the ball at pace through both their forwards and backs, Quins fashioned a clever opening for former England winger Paul Sackey wide on the right wing. However, some excellent defensive work from the Braves repelled the early raid.

At the other end, it was now Exeter's turn to show their attacking intent as No.8 James Phillips led the charge with a bulldozing burst through the middle. Although the Bristol-born forward was halted in full flight, the Braves recycled the ball back for Arnott to land a sublime long-range drop-goal for the opening points of the night.

Moments later and the home side doubled their when another spirited foray back into enemy territory allowed Sweeney to fire over a penalty after the visitors had infringed right in front of their own sticks.

It was, however, a gripping contest and Harlequins responded almost immediately as a swift attack down the left created an overlap from which lock Trayfoot was able to squeeze over in the left-hand corner.

The deadly Botica landed the testing touchline conversion before then adding a penalty as the visitors led 10-6 with just over a quarter of the game played.

The end-to-end nature of the contest continued aplenty as the dangerous Naqelevuki showed his strength with one rampaging run right through the heart of the Quins' midfield; then Arnott threatened again only to spill the ball just inches from the visiting line.

Exeter's pressure was mounting, though, and when Bateman charged down an intended clearance from Grimoldby - the hooker was quickest to react on the loose ball and he charged his way over for his first try, which Sweeney duly converted.

The last action of the half, however, belonged to Harlequins - who having opted for an initial penalty to the corner - then made the most of a second offence by the Braves to level the scores up when Botica slotted a second kick from in front of the home posts.

HALF TIME EXETER BRAVES 13 HARLEQUINS 13

On the resumption, the Braves offered the first threat of the half as Sweeney's looping pass released Naqelevuki. With two men in front of him, the Fijian Flyer produced an exquisite show and go before releasing midfield partner Hendrickson on the charge. Although the Cornishman tore down field at a rate of knots, Harlequins were able to race back and clear the danger.

The game continued to hang on a knife-edge as both sides looked to gain the ascendancy, both up front and on the scoreboard. It was, however, the home side who were the first to strike in the second half as Welshman Sweeney plundered an excellent 30-metre penalty.

Just as it was in the first half, Harlequins responded with gusto as both Sackey and No.8 Jack Clifford threatened with raids close to the line, before the Braves were hit with a swift double from their rivals.

Botica was the first to cross as he followed up his clever kick over the top to dot down under the posts - then speedster Walker got in on the act as he left the home defenders trailing in his wake as he tore through the home line to add a third try. Botica converted both to put his side firmly in command at 27-16.

However, urged on by a crowd of nearly 1,000 at Sandy Park - it was the Braves who hit back with just ten minutes remaining. Using their pack to punch their way deep into the Harlequins 22, a clever switch back from Chudley allowed the onrushing Sam Blanchet to collect and advance over by the posts. Sweeney duly added the extras.

The score clearly ignited the hosts as the game entered into it's final moments. Pushing hard, the Braves clearly had the scent for a further score - and their cause was boosted when winger Sackey was banished to the sidelines for the remainder of the game for a professional foul.

Exeter, though, could not make their advantage tell and having coughed up two decent opportunities late on, Harlequins mopped up the mess before advancing down field with a smart counter. That pressure enabled them to win a scrum five metres from the line and - with the last play of the game - Clifford, who skippered England Under-20s to Junior World Championship success in the summer, powerfully picked up from the base before driving over the whitewash for a crucial bonus point score.

Botica landed the conversion with the final kick of the game to ensure a notable scalp for the Londoners, who wrap up their Southern Group fixtures with a game against winless London Wasps.

Braves: J Arnott; F Vainikolo, T Hendrickson, S Naqelevuki, S Blanchet; C Sweeney (capt), W Chudley; K Davies, G Bateman (J Innard 67), A Brown; R Graham (J Blanchet 33, R Langley 58), W Carrick-Smith; D Armand, J Conlon, J Phillips.

Tries - Bateman, S Blanchet; Conversions - Sweeney (2); Penalties - Sweeney (2); Drop-Goal - Arnott

Harlequins: C Walker; P Sackey, J Marchant, B Botica, G Berthonneau (S Smith 50); L Grimoldby, J Burns (K Dickson 56); N Mayhew (D Marfo 50), D Ward (capt), K Sinckler; J Trayfoot, G Merrick; J Chisholm (H Rowland 70, H Allen 79), L Wallace, J Clifford.

Tries - Trayfoot, Botica, Walker Clifford; Conversions - Botica (4); Penalties - Botica (2)

Yellow Card: Sackey

Referee: T Foley

Attendance: 871