Chiefs Academy 17 Leinster Academy 13

Exeter Chiefs Academy 17
Leinster Academy 13

Alfie Martin at Sandy Park

A last-gasp try from Kian Atkinson four minutes from time ensured Exeter Chiefs Academy of victory against visiting Leinster Academy at Sandy Park.

The Chiefs winger struck with just two minutes remaining, producing a blinding run and athletic dive into the left-hand corner to ensure victory for the Devonians.

In their first fixture of the new campaign, it was a powerful Chiefs line-up that took to the field against a Leinster outfit, who earlier in the week had faced off against Gloucester in a similar pre-season encounter.

Scrum-half Sam Maunder – who 24 hours earlier had played a bit-part role for the Chiefs first team in their pre-season friendly win over Cardiff Blues – led the home side into battle on a hot and humid afternoon.

With defences on top for much of the first half, both sides did their best to nab the early advantage, but the scoreboard would remained untouched for the half.

Leinster had the better of the opening quarter, threatening the home line on a number of occasions, but some stout defence from the Chiefs held them at bay. Back-row duo Flynn Elworthy and Luc Pier Riou were particularly prominent, although the former did have to depart towards the end of the half for a HIA assessment.

Having survived the Leinster threat, it was then the turn of the Chiefs to work through their attacking options. Indeed, as the half drew towards a close, the home side were hammering away at the visiting try-line with a succession of pick-and-go drives.

To their credit, Leinster – who lost hooker Gavin O’Brien to the sin-bin for killing the ball – dug deep into their reserves and did well to hold their rivals at bay.

HALF TIME   EXETER CHIEFS 0   LEINSTER 0

Starved of points in the opening half, those inside Sandy Park didn’t have to wait long for the deadlock to be broken on the resumption. The second period was only six minutes old when Leinster fly-half David O’Brien kicked his side in front with a penalty from in front of the posts.

Leinster’s lead, however, proved short-lived as back roared the Chiefs. Again some powerful carries through the forwards propelled to within touching distance of the line. Replacement prop Alfie Petch was held just short, before hooker Harvey Dunn followed up to burrow his way over from close range.

With both teams having settled nicely into the contest, it was the turn of Leinster to regain the lead. A swift-counter attack from the visitors saw them cleverly work the ball from right to left, where flanker Jack Cooke was waiting on the flank to touchdown.O’Brien made sure of maximum rewards by landing a superb touchline conversion.

Behind again, the Chiefs needed to fashion a response of sorts. The hosts threw on fresh stock to aid their efforts, but it was Toby Williams who grabbed the limelight, the full-back finishing off a swift training ground move to race in under the sticks. Centre Carl Morgan applied the extras to make it 12-10.

Leinster, however, were not to be disheartened as they patiently waited for their opportunity to strike back. With ten minutes remaining they were handed their chance by referee Will Gilder, who penalised the Chiefs for straying offside. Up stepped replacement fly-half David Fitzgibbon to stroke over a routine kick to put his side a point ahead.

Once again the Chiefs had to find a way back, which they did in the dying embers, as Atkinson provided his spectacular finish in the corner to make it 17-13.

Leinster were far from done, pressing hard late on, but it was the Chiefs who prevailed, a brilliant turnover from Rus Tuima saw the imposing No.8 collect the ball and boot it in the direction of the North Terrace.

Chiefs: T Williams; L Flack, C Morgan, B Karea, K Atkinson; J Elderkin, S Maunder (capt); D Southworth, H Dunn (S Butterworth 55), M Street; L Pearson, C Teague; F Elworthy, L Pier Riou, R Tuima, S Maunder (c), J Elderkin, K Atkinson, B Karea, C Morgan, L Flack, T Williams. Replacements: S Butterworth, J Kenny, A Petch, J Clemson, D Cutmore, J Snow, W Hollis, F Dart, W Hopper, G Chatterton

Tries: Dunn, Williams, Atkinson; Conversion: C Morgan 59

Leinster: M O’Brien; L Grady, L Faria, P McKenzie, J Maher; D O’Brien, R Barron; H Noonan, G O’Brien, C Ward; R Wilson, B Deeny; J Cooke, J Booth, A Ryan (capt). Replacements: E Baxter, R McMahon, C Gagney, J Stapleton, T Coghlan, A McEvoy, D Fitzgibbon, M Jungmann.

Try: Cooke; Conversion: D O’Brien 53; Penalties: D O’Brien, Fitzgibbon

Yellow Card: G O’Brien 26.

Referee: W Gilder.