Quins U18s 47 Chiefs U18s 33

Harlequins Under-18s 47

Exeter Chiefs Under-18s 33

By Mark Stevens

Exeter’s dreams of reaching Finals Day in this season’s Premiership Rugby Under-18s League were ended as the Chiefs slipped to a 47-33 defeat away to Harlequins.

Having come unstuck against Sarries the previous week, the Chiefs knew they needed to collect victory from their visit to the Surrey Sports Park to ensure any hopes of qualifying for the latter stages.

Once again, a poor first half display cost the visitors as they trailed 26-7 at the break.

Wingers Jon Searle and Femi Sofolarin (2) both touched down for the home side, as did centre Hayden Hyde with scrum-half Caolan Englefield helping himself to three conversions.

All the Chiefs could muster in terms of a reply was an early try for prop Alfie Petch, which fly-half Olly Toomey converted.

Whatever was said during the break by the Exeter coaches clearly had the desired effect as the Chiefs were much improved during the second period, scoring further tries through Rus Tuima, Cory Teague, Kian Atkinson and Toomey, who also kicked three conversions.

Harlequins, however, continued to score themselves, adding further tries through Searle, Jordan Bond and Sam Riley, all of which were converted by Englefield.

Post-game, Chiefs coach Gareth Elliott said: “Upon reflection the guys were frustrated with their performance and hopefully that will drive them for the rest of the season to improve and prepare for their introduction into senior rugby.

“However, the positive of this season as a whole has been the professionalism of the side and the individual performances of players, which has really impressed the senior coaching staff.

“Players have been able to reflect on some tough games which have really tested us and they have taken some important lessons away from games. The league has demonstrated that each match offers a different challenge and is a really good level for our top players to compete in.

“There are now some U17s matches on the horizon, which is a chance for us to start preparing for next season, and with the U16s age group building towards their tournament at Wellington in April, it is exciting to see what future talent is ready to come through the ranks.”

Harlequins: J Bond; F Sofolarin, H Hyde (H Barlow 40), J Potter, J Searle (L Anyanwu 48); S Jardine (L Smith 51), C Englefield; J Morris (A Benz-Salomon 60), S Riley, K Sassone (J Benz-Salomon 5-60); H Tizard, G Hammond; J Glover (H Dugmore 60), V Everitt (J Reid 53), J Kenningham.

Tries - Searle (2), Sofolarin (2), Hyde, Bond, Riley; Conversions - Englefield (7)

Chiefs: D Lilley; D Jewsbury, L Flack, R Weeks (K Atkinson 35), A Hill; O Toomey (A Gozzard 55), S Maunder (J Tait 58); O Andrews (H Trudgill 16, E Salt 55), W Ridout, A Petch; L Pearson, C Teague (S Butterworth 60); J Parker-Cooke (B-L Jago 50), R Capstick, R Tuima.

Tries - Petch, Tuima, Toomey, Teague, Atkinson; Conversions - Toomey (4)

Referee: L Biggs