Academy slip to narrow loss

Wasps Under-18s 20

Exeter Chiefs Under-18s 19

Exeter Chiefs Under-18s produced a spirited second half showing that almost saw them to victory in their latest Aviva Premiership Under-18s League fixture against Wasps.

In testing conditions on the 3G surface at Maidenhead Rugby Club, the Chiefs were forced into a late change prior to kick-off when Toby Williams was ruled out.

His absence meant Joe Snow was moved from scrum-half to full-back with Aaron Bagwell promoted to the number nine jersey.

Despite the re-jig in personnel, it wasn't the best of first half displays from the visitors who were let down by a series of handling errors and some poor discipline.

Wasps duly capitalised and by half-time led 14-0 having scored two converted tries.

The home side extended their lead with a penalty just after the restart, before the Chiefs finally clicked into gear and came storming back at their rivals.

All-action forward Charlie Wright claimed their opening try of the game, converted by Harvey Skinner, when he finished off a well worked set-piece.

It was just the lift the visitors needed and now with momentum on their side, they added a second converted score when prop Marcus Street finished off strong approach work from Aaron Thompson.

Wasps countered briefly with a decisive penalty, only for Wright to claim his second try of the afternoon when he touched down late on.

Now with the chance to win the game, Skinner lined up his conversion attempt. However, as the young playmaker went to strike, the ball fell off the tee and the chance to win it was lost.

Post-match, coach Marek Churcher bemoaned his side's first half showing, but admitted he was hugely encouraged by their second half fightback.

"We lacked a bit of composure, both in attack and defence, during the first half," he said. "At half time, though, the boys knew they could get back into contention by just simplifying what they were doing.

"It was really unfortunate what hapened to Harvey at end as that was a kick he would of made in his sleep, but these things happen in rugby!"