Saracens U18s 20 Chiefs U18s 13

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs Academy coach Rob Gibson refused to be too downbeat despite seeing his side slip to a 20-13 loss at Saracens in their latest Premiership Under-18s League fixture.

Having come into the game on the back of a hard fought win against Harlequins last time out, the Chiefs started brightly on the artificial surface at Allianz Park.

The game was only a few minutes old when the Chiefs took a deserved lead, the visiting pack working well off a driving line-out to propel skipper Sam Daly across the whitewash for the opening try, which fly-half Harvey Skinner (pictured) converted.

As the half progressed, Saracens countered with a try of their own and a penalty, but it was Skinner who ensured the Devon club remained in front at the break, landing two penalties of his own to give them a 13-8 lead at the turn.

With little to choose between either side, the half time message for the Chiefs was to keep things simple and keep doing what they had done in the opening half.

Sadly, the Chiefs could not maintain their threat and it was Saracens who rallied during the second period, adding two more tries – one of which was converted – to seal victory.

Post-match, a reflective Gibson said: “Obviously it’s disappointing to lose, especially having led at the break. Unfortunately a few of our mistakes proved costly and Saracens reacted well to them, but I thought the intensity and the endeavour of our lads throughout has to be applauded.

“This competition provides a great learning experience for the players to develop at the highest level possible and we’ll look to finish strongly in our final game against Bath.”

As Gibson pointed out, the Chiefs wrap up their league campaign this weekend when they play host to Bath at Sandy Park on Saturday (2pm).