Saracens 20 Chiefs 24

Saracens 20

Exeter Chiefs 24

By Mark Stevens at Allianz Park

There was no ‘Fat Lady Singing’ this time, instead it was the travelling tribe who were in full voice at the final whistle as Exeter Chiefs overcame rivals Saracens to claim a first-ever victory at Allianz Park.

Two tries from the free-scoring Thomas Waldrom, plus another from hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, were the undoubted highlights for the visitors, whose hard fought win has edged them back into the final play-off berth with just one round of the scheduled season remaining.

Fly-half Gareth Steenson converted all three scores, as well as adding a first half penalty to ensure Rob Baxter’s side of a priceless win against the much-fancied Londoners.

In reply, Chris Ashton and Chris Wyles both raced over for first half scored, whilst Charlie Hodgson (7) and Owen Farrell (3) weighed in with the remainder of their points on a sun-drenched afternoon in North London.

Refreshed and revived after their first week off in the season, Baxter made three changes to his side that lost to Wasps last time out. Into the fray came Luke Cowan-Dickie and Ben White up front, whilst behind Steenson’s inclusion at fly-half meant Henry Slade reverted into the centre. On the bench, Fetu’u Vainikolo was included as was Academy youngster Max Bodilly, who was getting his first introduction to life on a Premiership match-day.

Saracens, meanwhile, were also able to parade a powerful array of talent for the fourth fixture between the two clubs this season. Of their starting line-up, eleven of them were full internationals with a further six on the bench. However, two of their more experienced names - Brad Barritt and Billy Vunipola - were missing due to injury.

With personnel in place, conditions perfect and the need for victory paramount on both sides, it was the visitors who started the brighter as they looked to set the tone with some early attacking endeavour.

Just three minutes had elapsed when they were afforded their first chance, England winger Chris Ashton straying offside to gift the Chiefs a penalty deep inside the Saracens 22. From the resultant line-out, Baxter’s side drove in field creating an opening for Steenson to attempt a rushed drop-goal. Sadly, the Irishman’s effort was wide of the mark and the hosts were spared.

Moments later, though, Steenson made no mistake, breaking the deadlock with a straight-forward penalty after the Devonians had caused havoc through raids from Messrs Lees, Moon and Chudley.

It was no more than the Chiefs had deserved following an encouraging opening to the contest, but the lead would not last for long as Saracens edged in front with a wonderful try from Ashton.

The England speedster merely added the splash finish following a superb break in open field from hooker Jamie George, who in turn fed Marcelo Bosch who offered the telling offload to Ashton to finish under the posts for the converted score.

Undeterred, back roared the Chiefs in an instance. Using their powerhouse pack to pound away at the home defences, the pressure finally told on 19 minutes when, following a plethora of raids just metres from the Sarries line, over squirmed Cowan-Dickie for the try, which Steenson converted with aplomb from wide on the right touchline.

With conditions conducive to running rugby, it was gripping, end-to-end stuff from both teams. It was, however, the Londoners who nudged themselves back in front just past the first quarter when they capitalised on turnover ball deep inside their own half. Working the ball at pace to the left flank, it released David Strettle on the burst and his sprint down the line, coupled with a clever one-handed offload allowed Wyles to race clear for the score that Hodgson was able to add the extras to once it had been approved by the TV match official.

Like two prize fighters, the rivals continued to trade attacking blows and just past the half-hour mark, it was the Chiefs who reclaimed a slender lead. Again, the juggernaut Exeter eight did the damage with a collection of pick-and-go drives, the results of which profited in yet another Premiership score for No.8 Waldrom.

Waldrom’s 16th of the season - his 15th in the top flight - saw him edge ever closer to collecting the seasonal award for top try-scorer in the division, whilst Steenson’s conversion ensured Exeter again led by three points.

But just as it looked like the Chiefs would head into the break in front, a scrum penalty with the last action of the half allowed former England fly-half Hodgson to restore parity with a successful 30-metre penalty.

HALF TIME SARACENS 17 EXETER CHIEFS 17

Having seen a relentless, points-filled first 40 minutes, it was somewhat of an anti-climax to see the opening ten minutes of the second half failed to hit the same dizzy heights.

The two teams exchanged counter blows, but nothing to trouble either defence as the game remained deadlocked. Sarries turned to their bench, bringing on the the likes of Brits, Johnston and Farrell and it was the former whose clever feet fashioned the first real opening of the half for Strettle wide on the left, but as he closed in on the line he flung the ball back inside and it was safely gobbled up by the Chiefs.

Saracens weren’t finished and when they came again, this time exposing the numbers game out wide, Exeter’s scramble defence did enough to prevent the try, but not a penalty just metres from their own line and it was Farrell who stepped up to dispatch the resultant kick.

Minutes later and Farrell - only recently back from a knee injury - was afforded a second shot at the target when the Chiefs were pulled up for sealing off at their own line-out, but this time the England ace’s long-range effort was wide of the mark and Baxter made were able to clear the danger once more.

With neither side willing to give an inch in the battle for territory, a spate of aerial ping-pong ensued between the rival back divisions. Kick followed by kick dominated the middle stage of the half, before the Chiefs struck with a third converted try with ten minutes left on the clock.

Again they used the tried and trusted that had served them so well all afternoon, a penalty to the corner set-up the initial maul from which the Exeter pack once more drove their way to the posts with a crafted pick-and-go game that Sarries could not contain. The beneficiary, as so often the case, was again Waldrom who emerged from the mass of bodies to single his delight with the trademark ‘Toot Toot’ signal.

All of a sudden it was Saracens who were chasing the game entering into the dying embers of an absorbing contest. The home side lay siege with just minutes remaining, throwing literally the kitchen sink at the Chiefs, but try as they may they could not find a way past Baxter’s braves, who must now recover quickly ahead of Saturday’s pending visit of Sale Sharks to Sandy Park.

Saracens: A Goode; C Ashton, M Bosch (N Tompkins 54), C Wyles, D Strettle; C Hodgson (O Farrell 52), R Wigglesworth (capt, N De Kock 22-29, 72); M Vunipola, J George (S Brits 49), P Du Plessis (J Johnston 49); G Kruis, M Itoje (E Joubert 72); K Brown (A Hargreaves 54), J Burger, J Wray. Replacement (not used): R Gill.

Tries - Ashton, Wyles; Conversions - Hodgson (2); Penalties - Hodgson, Farrell

Chiefs: B McGuigan; I Whitten, H Slade, S Hill, M Jess; G Steenson, W Chudley; B Moon (C Rimmer 54), L Cowan-Dickie (J Yeandle 54), T Francis (A Brown 54); D Mumm (capt), M Lees (D Welch 58); D Ewers, B White (K Horstmann 58), T Waldrom. Replacements (not used): D Lewis, F Vainikolo, M Bodilly.

Tries - Cowan-Dickie, Waldrom (2); Conversions - Steenson (2); Penalty - Steenson

Referee: J-P Doyle

Attendance: 9,815

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Sale Sharks (H), Aviva Premiership, Saturday, May 16 (3:30pm)