Harlequins U-18s 15 Chiefs U-18s 43

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs Under-18s maintained their unbeaten record in this season’s Premiership Under-18s League with a hugely impressive 43-15 win over Harlequins at the Surrey Sports Park.

Having trailed to an early penalty, the Chiefs hit back swiftly with two kicks of their own through Tom Putt to give them a slender lead.

Harlequins, who themselves were unbeaten going into the game, rallied well and they made the most of a yellow card to Josh Caulfield to claim an unconverted try on 18 minutes.

Caulfield soon returned to the fray and as the half drew towards a close it was the Chiefs who began to take a grip on proceedings as two more penalties from Putt gave them a 12-8 lead at the break.

With victories already this season over Bath, Bristol and London Wasps, the Devon visitors showed their strength in the second period as they pulled further clear with two converted tries in the opening six minutes.

Harrison Cully was first over the whitewash when he put the seal on a well-executed move from a five-metre scrum, then Kai Little followed suit as he rounded off another slick move from the Chiefs to make it 26-8.

To their credit, Quins refused to lie down and they responded valiantly claiming a second try when they rounded off a period of dominance to reduce the deficit.

Any hopes of a home comeback, though, were soon put to bed as the Chiefs finished the contest in style with three tries in the final quarter. Scrum-half Jack Oulton was the first to cross, quickly followed by winger Jack Faulkner who was able to claim the all-important bonus point score.

Then with 10 minutes remaining, centre Tom Holdsworth got in on the scoring act as he added a fifth try, again converted by Putt who himself finished the game with 18 points.

Next up for the Chiefs is a trip to Allianz Park this Friday night when Saracens provide the opposition (7.30pm).