Academy young guns win again

Exeter Chiefs Academy coach Marek Churcher believes there is still “more to come” from his young side despite them clocking up their third successive Under-18 League win against Harlequins.

Having seen off Bristol and Wasps in recent weeks, the Chiefs were made to fight for their latest success by a Quins’ line-up that was eventually sunk 27-24 at Sandy Park.

Exeter were first to show in this latest match-up, breaking the deadlock when a superb run from Harrison Cully created the opening for Truro College team-mate Noah Sixton to claim the try, which was converted by Oli Avery-Wright.

The visitors replied almost immediately with a penalty of their own, but it was the Chiefs who added a second try from a move started and finished by live-wire scrum-half Jack Maunder.

Harlequins, though, finished the first half the stronger and two converted tries gave them a 17-12 advantage at the break.

On the resumption, the Chiefs hauled themselves back in front when England Under-18s international Maunder was the architect for their third try, which was bagged by full-back Ethan Tyler.

Avery-Wright was unable to convert, but did add a penalty shorty after to extend’s Exeter grip on the game.

The Londoners, though, refused to lie down and having reclaimed the lead with a well-executed try from a driving maul, it was the Chiefs who were to have the final say when No.8 Dec Matthews claimed the all-important fourth score.

Post-match, Churcher said: “It’s always nice to win with all five points, but I believe there is still more to come from this team. We performed well in patches, but we still haven’t been able to string everything together.

“The players have come away from the last three games a little bit frustrated, but having said that they know if they still maintain their levels of enthusiasm and effort, it’s only a matter of time before we see that full performance.

The Academy are next in action when they host unbeaten Saracens at Topsham RFC on Saturday, January 24 (1pm).