Chiefs 11 Saracens 14

Exeter Chiefs 11

Saracens 14

Mark Stevens at Sandy Park

Exeter Chiefs saw their 13-month long unbeaten home record fall by the wayside as defending Aviva Premiership champions Saracens came back from 11-0 down to record victory at a packed Sandy Park.

The league leaders chalked up their 10th win in 11 Premiership starts to extend their lead at the top of the table over the Chiefs to five points.

A first half try from No.8 Samu Vunisa and three second half penalties from the Premiership’s all-time top points-scorer, Charlie Hodgson, saw Mark McCall’s side to success against Devon’s finest.

Earlier, though, all appeared rosy for Rob Baxter’s side, who had stormed into a 11-0 lead thanks to a try from James Short and two penalties from fly-half Gareth Steenson.

A key moment, however, was referee Thomas Foley’s decision to chalk off a potential second try from the Chiefs through Ollie Atkins. The official believed the home side had knocked on in the build-up to the score, although TV replays later proved otherwise.

With just two points separating the two clubs heading into the match, the Chiefs - fresh from victory at Worcester last time out - made five changes to their winning formula. Three came in the front-row where Messrs Moon, Yeandle and Low were all recalled, whilst behind Ollie Atkins was given the nod in the second row and Sam Hill was brought back into the centre with Michele Campagnaro missing on international duty.

Saracens, meanwhile, arrived in the Westcountry missing a glut of star names because of the current Six Nations campaign. That said, they were boosted by the news that Maro Itoje was able to take his place on the bench following a quick flight back from Scotland having been a travelling reserve for Eddie Jones’ England side.

With another sell-out crowd in attendance and the elements in their favour from the off, the Chiefs quickly set the attacking tone. Early raids helped to position them deep inside the Sarries 22, the fruits of which saw them glean a penalty after Jackson Wray was penalised for infringing at the tackle zone.

It allowed Irishman Steenson to step forward from 15 metres out and dispatch an early blow for the in-form Chiefs.

As you’d expect from champions, Saracens looked to respond almost immediately. A cross-field kick released Chris Wyles on the burst, before he was checked into touch by Steenson, then a kick through from Hodgson looked threatening until it cannoned back off a home defender.

Still the Londoners pressed forward, but just as they looked set to pounce, winger Short (pictured) - himself a former Sarries star - picked off a pass from Hodgson just yards from his own line to race the length of the field to score his ninth try of the campaign. Sadly, Steenson was unable to convert from wide on the left touchline.

It was impressive stuff from Baxter’s side, who thought they had extended their lead yet further with a second try. However, Atkins was denied a maiden score by Foley for an earlier knock-on.

TV replays, however, showed there was no knock-on by Olly Woodburn and it was in fact a visiting hand who had palmed it back under pressure from the Exeter winger, whose subsequent hack through fell invitingly for Aussie Atkins to dot down.

Undeterred, the Chiefs continued to press forward in attack and having gone close with two five-metre line-outs, they used a subsequent scrum to milk a penalty out of Richard Barrington. Again, Steenson made no mistake to make it 11-0 on the half-hour mark.

As the half drew towards a close, Saracens looked to get themselves up and running on the scoreboard. A flurry of penalties allowed them to set up camp in the Exeter 22 with line-outs, but twice they were picked off superbly by Atkins in the middle.

But when they were afforded a third opportunity, they made no mistake as they crafted a well-drilled line-out move to send No.8 Vunisa over for the score, which Hodgson was unable to convert.

HALF TIME EXETER CHIEFS 11 SARACENS 5

Vunisa’s score - plus the decision to chalk off Atkins’ effort - were certainly pivotal moments, but it was not long before Saracens were threatening again on the resumption.

The early introduction of the imposing Itoje certainly spelt out their intentions for the second period, but the Chiefs were resolute in defence, soaking up the early pressure before countering down field themselves to good effect.

Saracens, though, continued to threaten in attack, Ben Ransom’s dancing feet getting him to within inches of the Exeter line before he was engulfed by a swath of Chiefs’ defenders.

The pressure was certainly mounting on Baxter’s side, who conceded a penalty 13 minutes into the second period when they were adjudged to have collapsed a scrum. Up stepped Hodgson to dispatch the penalty and reduce the deficit to just three points.

Baxter immediately changed things up, throwing on young forwards Alec Hepburn and Luke Cowan-Dickie, and it seemed to stem the tide somewhat as the Chiefs positioned themselves back on the front foot midway inside the visiting half.

As Sarries pressed hard in attack once again, Chudley picked off another interception in midfield to get the Chiefs running hard at the Sarries rearguard. Although he was felled by a great cover tackle from Richard Wigglesworth, Woodburn was in close attendance to carry on the attack.

Although Exeter went right and left trying to pick a way through the Saracens defence, a knock-on in midfield allowed Saracens to regroup and eventually clear their lines without too much of an issue.

Having survived the home threat, Saracens gleaned decent territory again from another soft penalty awarded by Foley, who was not adhering himself to the home faithful with some rather suspect calls.

Back behind enemy lines, Saracens created a wave of attacks that eventually saw the hosts stray offside in midfield, gifting Hodgson the chance to level things up with a  straight-forward penalty from in front of the Exeter posts.

With little to choose between either side, the Chiefs twice turned down penalty kicks at goal for punts to the corner, before Hodgson slotted the visitors in front for the first time with a lengthy penalty with just five minutes remaining.

Now having to throw caution to the wind (quite literally), the Chiefs looked to summon up a response with just a few minutes remaining. Strong carrying from Sam Hill looked to get them heading in the right direction, but when it was shipped right another crucial knock-on proved decisive.

Sarries, just as champions do, masterfully ticked off the final minute, robbing the Chiefs of not only the win, but also their proud 13-month long home record.

Chiefs: P Dollman; O Woodburn, I Whitten, S Hill, J Short; G Steenson, W Chudley; B Moon (A Hepburn 54), J Yeandle (capt, L Cowan-Dickie 54), M Low (H Williams 67); O Atkins (L Stevenson 62), G Parling; D Armand, J Salvi (K Horstmann 73), T Waldrom. Replacements (not used): D Lewis, W Hooley, M Bodilly.

Try - Short; Penalty - Steenson (2)

Saracens: B Ransom; M Ellery (N Earle 74), N Tompkins, B Barritt (capt), C Wyles; C Hodgson, R Wigglesworth; R Barrington, S Brits, P du Plessis (T Lamositele 74); H Smith (M Itoje 44), J Hamilton; J Wray, B Brown, S Vunisa (J Burger 49). Replacements (not used): J Saunders, R Gill, B Spencer, N Mordt.

Try - Vunisa; Penalties - Hodgson (3)

Referee: T Foley

Attendance: 12,450