Chiefs U-18s 19 Saints U-18s 31

Exeter Chiefs U-18s 19

Northampton Saints U-18s 31

Mark Stevens at Allianz Park

Exeter Chiefs saw their hopes of claiming a first-ever Premiership Under-18s title dashed as they were undone by rivals Northampton Saints at Allianz Park.

Despite a spirited showing from Rob Gibson and Marek Churcher’s side, the Chiefs were never really able to compete with the power and pace of their rivals who ran in five tries on the day.

Full-back Howard Packman bagged a brace for the Saints, whilst team-mates Rory Hutchinson, George Cox and George Furbank followed him over the whitewash. Skipper Harry Mallinder did the rest of the damage as he landed three successful conversions.

In reply, the Chiefs added three tries of their own through Jack Oulton, Jack Innard and Tommy Southworth, two of which were converted by Joel Matavesi, but it was sadly not enough to claim the crown.

Having advanced to Finals Day courtesy of wins over Bath, Bristol, Harlequins, London Wasps and Saracens, the Chiefs were hopeful of adding the Saints to their list of seasonal scalps on the 4G surface at Allianz Park.

And initially the signs looked promising for the Chiefs as they opened up with a lively burst of action that saw forwards Josh Caulfield and Matt Bolwell lead the charge with some early forays into the Northampton half.

Sadly the Chiefs could not make their early dominance pay dividends and having soaked up all Exeter could muster in terms of attack, it was Northampton who were then able to showcase their
attacking intent.

Centre Mallinder - the son of current Saints director of rugby, Jim Mallinder - saw a 10th minute try chalked off by referee Luke Pearce for crossing in midfield; then full-back Packman came within a whisker of breaking the deadlock when he was foiled right at the death by some desperate defence from the Chiefs.

The Saints, though, were steadily gathering momentum and it came as little surprise when the Exeter defensive wall was finally breached on 17 minutes when Packman was able to race over following a period of sustained Northampton pressure.

Packman was then able to double his tally just minutes later when having fielded a kick in behind from Matavesi, he raced out of his own 22 - turned on the after burners - before chipping over the top of Putt and winning the subsequent sprint race to the line.

Mallinder converted with aplomb from the left touchline before then adding the extras to Northampton’s third score, which arrived just before the half-hour mark when centre Hutchinson was able to finish off another powerful assault from the Saints.

Trailing 19-0, the Chiefs needed an instant pick-me-up. Thankfully, they were able to find it as a line-out move saw the Exeter eight combine as one, prop Oli Dawe peeled off the back before cleverly shipping the ball to the onrushing Oulton, who was able to apply a neat finish in the left-hand corner.

HALF TIME     EXETER CHIEFS 5    NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 19

Buoyed by the score just before the break, the Chiefs again started the second period brightly and early effort won them a penalty just inside the Saints half. Sadly, Putt was unable to capitalise sending his long-range effort just wide of the right post.

They did, however, continued to press forward in a bid to get themselves back into the contest. The impressive Caulfield, Bolwell and replacement Jack Maunder all offered hope, but unfortunately the end product was missing as chances came and went with recurring regularity.

At the other end, Saints flyer Rotimi Segun showed his pace with a rapid counter that took him from his own 22 to that of the Chiefs 22, but crucially he was felled as he looked to find a team-mate in support.

With replacements aplenty entering the fray, it was the Chiefs who hauled themselves back into the contest when hooker Innard was able to burrow over from close range for their second score, which fly-half Matavesi was able to convert.

But no sooner had the Devonians give themselves a fighting chance, they preceded to shoot themselves in the foot as a mistake from replacement Toby Papp saw him turnover ball deep inside his own 22 and the Saints duly punished him as flanker Cox powered his way over for the converted score.

Three minutes later and the Chiefs were finally sunk when another swift raid down the right flank allowed Northampton to cut through and set up replacement Furbank for a fifth try.

To their credit, the Chiefs valiantly battled until the death and their brave efforts were rewarded when replacement Southworth added a third try - converted by Matavesi - with the last action of the game.

Sadly, it was not enough and it was the Saints who were marching triumphantly to the title come the final whistle

Chiefs: T Putt (S Fellows 45); K Little, N Warne, T Holdsworth, H Cully (J Faulkner 48); J Matavesi (capt), J Oulton (J Maunder 44); O Dawe (T Southworth 52), J Innard, B Keast (J Stanley 47); J Caulfield, E Holmes (L Hattam h/t); M Bolwell, N Bayett (C Gibbings 67), T Lowry (T Papp 57).

Tries - Oulton, Innard, Southworth; Conversions - Matavesi (2)

Saints: H Packman (G Furbank 48); T Rawcliffe, R Hutchinson, H Mallinder (capt), R Segun; H Sheppard (N Defeo 59), M Morris (G Chatterton 64); J Fish, O Griffiths (H Marshall 62), L Jeannot (J Byrne 47); J Onojaife, J Peters (K Wilkins 62); G Cox, L Ludlam (W Allman 62), O Lyons.

Tries - Packman (2), Hutchinson, Cox, Furbank; Conversions - Mallinder (3)

Referee: L Pearce