Saracens 35 Chiefs 18

Saracens 35

Exeter Chiefs 18

Mark Stevens at Allianz Park

If Exeter Chiefs are to become the first-ever side to reclaim the LV= Cup, then the hard work will have to be carried out in the rugby hotbed of the East Midlands.

The defending champions saw their hopes of a home semi-final blown away by a powerful second half display from Saracens at Allianz Park.

The Londoners produced a rock-solid display, both in attack and defence, to not only see off the Chiefs, but at the same time book their own place in the last four of the competition.

Tries from Tim Streather, Nick De Jager (2), Catalin Fercu and Matt Hankin were the highlights for Mark McCall’s side, whose remaining points came courtesy of the reliable boot of Ben Spencer.

The Chiefs played their part in the high-scoring contest, claiming tries from Sam Skinner and Tom James, but it was never enough even despite an additional eight points from skipper Ceri Sweeney.

Defeat means Rob Baxter’s men will now have to face Leicester Tigers for a place in the final, after which a date with Saracens or Northampton Saints awaits at Franklin’s Gardens next month.

Ahead of kick-off, though, hopes were high within the Chiefs ranks as they again paraded a powerful line-up. Of the 15 who took to the field against the Dragons seven days’ earlier, 13 remained in tow with the two changes coming in the back division where Dave Lewis and Max Bodilly came in for Haydn Thomas and Ian Whitten.

The opening 10 minutes, it has to be said, were little to write home about as both sides took part in an extended game of kick tennis.

The occasional scrum, coupled with the odd break here or there, momentarily brought the game out of it’s slumber, but it was defences who ruled the roost in the opening exchanges.

However, the deadlock was finally broken five minutes later when Saracens claimed the opening try of the game. With the Chiefs looking to clear their lines following a scrum, Sweeney’s pass out to Max Bodilly saw the young centre’s intended charged down by opposite number Streather who, in an instance, pounced on the loose ball to glide over for the score, which Spencer duly converted.

The Chiefs looked to respond almost immediately as winger Tom James caused havoc in the home ranks with a bulldozing raid off the left flank, but his charge - then a misfiring line-out chance - saw the visitors spurn two golden opportunities in as many minutes.

At the other end, Sarries showed their killer instinct yet again as Nils Mordt powered his way through the heart of the Exeter defence before the ball was shipped at pace through the hands of Maro Itoje and Ben Ransom to De Jager, who was able to cross with little fuss for a second converted score.

In truth it was no more than the Londoners deserved following a bright opening. However, they could have added to their tally on 27 minutes when Chiefs’ lock Will Carrick-Smith was penalised for holding on in the tackle. Thankfully, Spencer’s long-range attempt sailed wide of the right post and the Devonians were spared.

Exeter made the most of the let-off and with a well-drilled driving maul, they positioned themselves deep inside the Saracens 22 for their latest attack. The forwards did the donkey work, driving their rivals back with a simple pick-and-go game which, it appeared, had got them to the line.

The officials, though, were unclear and following a brief consultation with the TV match official, no try was awarded and Baxter’s men had to settle instead for a five-metre scrum.

The first set-piece saw the Exeter eight apply the shove - only to win another penalty - but on the reset the outcome was far more rewarding as they once again combined as one to drive young No.8 Skinner over from short-range.

The experienced Sweeney added the obligatory extras, before landing a long-range penalty just before the break to keep the Chiefs firmly in the contest at the turn.

HALF TIME SARACENS 14 EXETER CHIEFS 10

Exeter started the second half, much the way they finished the first half, going on the offensive straight from the off. England international Tom Johnson set the tone with one of his trademark bursts inside the opening minute, before a series of multi-phase moves milked another penalty out of the hosts.

Again, former Welsh international Sweeney stepped forward to drill a sublime kick between the posts to cut the deficit to just a point.

Suddenly it was the defending champions who had the bit between their teeth as they worked the opening off a scrum in midfield through Johnson to Lewis. who in turn fed the ‘Merthyr Express’ who did the rest with a simple finish in the left-hand corner.

In front for the first time in the contest, Exeter’s lead sadly proved short-lived as back came the ‘Men in Black’ inside five minutes.

Initially the Chiefs did well to turnover a home line-out move, but when Lewis’ poor clearance was gobbled up by the home side, they fashioned the ball at pace to the destructive De Jager, who mowed his way over full-back Byron McGuigan to claim his second of the game, again converted by Spencer.

Worse was to follow for the visitors as Sarries wrapped up the bonus point just before the hour mark, claiming converted try number four when left winger Fercu exposed the numbers game out wide to dive over in the left-hand corner.

In an instance the Chiefs had gone from being in front to now being 10 points down. The switch in gears from the home side had been significant, but Saracens were still hungry for more, as they continued to probe away at the gaping Exeter jugular.

A series of catch-and-drive moves failed to bring reward initially, but the pressure finally told when Jackson Wray claimed the line-out ball at the tail, his fellow forwards emerged around him at pace - and when the nudge was applied, Hankin splintered off the back to ground a fifth converted try.

It would get no easier for the Chiefs who, with just over seven minutes remaining, saw replacement Ben White sent to the sin-bin for persistent infringing.

Although down a man, the visitors held firm in the dying embers to stave off the threat of further scores, even threatening at the other end when Will Chudley produced a decent counter as he picked off the home side just five metres from his own line.

In the end, Saracens were good value for their victory, but the Chiefs could at least console themselves with the fact that they will get another crack of glory with a daunting test in the Tigers den.

Saracens: B Ransom (T Palamo 72); M Ellery, T Streather, M Wilkins (A Goode 52), C Fercu; N Mordt, B Spencer (T Whiteley 72); R Gill (R Barrington h/t), J Saunders (B Sharman h/t), B Alo (B Featherstone 72); M Itoje (capt, K Sharples 72), H Smith (H Thompson-Stringer h/t); N De Jager, M Hankin, J Wray.

Tries - Streather, De Jager (2), Fercu, Hankin; Conversions - Spencer (5)

Chiefs: B McGuigan; F Vainikolo, M Bodilly, A Hughes (J Arnott 57), T James; C Sweeney (capt, L May 77), D Lewis (W Chudley 57); B Sturgess (C Rimmer 59), E Taione (G Bateman 59), T Francis (A Brown h/t); J Sexton, W Carrick-Smith (E Holmes 59); T Johnson, S Simmonds, S Skinner (B White 57).

Tries - Skinner, James; Conversion - Sweeney; Penalties - Sweeney (2)

Yellow Card: White

Referee: C Maxwell-Keys

Attendance: 6,124

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Newcastle Falcons (H), Aviva Premiership, Saturday, February 14 (4:30pm)