Chiefs win thriller against Harlequins

They bag eighty-second minute try

After a big win against Worcester Warriors last weekend, Exeter Chiefs were full of confidence going into their third game of the season at Sandy Park, hoping to keep an unbeaten streak going.

Number eight Sam Simmonds started on the bench, amid news the man who has scored 80 tries in 116 matches is joining Montpellier next season. 

Chiefs showed their dominance in the first half, with a ruthless performance bringing four tries and one penalty.

Two tries came in the first 10 minutes from prop Harvey Williams and scrum-half Stu Townsend. Joe Simmonds effortlessly converted.

Chiefs’ flanker, Christ Tshiunza increasd the advantage for Exeter with a great try between the posts. It took Harlequins just minutes to strike back through winger Cadan Murley. That boosted Harlequins' confidence, with a conversion from an acute angle perfectly execute by England fly half Marcus Smith.

A Harvey Skinner try increased the Chiefs' advantage, converted again by Joe Simmonds.

With the half-time score at 31-7, it was a jubilant Sandy Park.

But Harlequins came out looking like a different side, responding to the 24 points deficit with two quick tries in 10 minutes, replicating the start Exeter Chiefs had in the first half. 

Exeter’s confidence plummeted. They conceded an excellent try as Luke Northmore made a 60-metre sprint to the line and Harlequins moved within three points. The nerves from the home fans were obvious. 

Harlequins took the lead! Centre Luke Northmore busted through and got to the line, turning the match completely on its head.

No one saw this coming at the start of the second half. 

With half an hour on the backfoot, Exeter’s Patrick Schikering put the Chiefs back in the lead with just over 10 minutes to go. A yellow card for Chiefs’ Ian Whitten followed because of a tactical foul, and Exeter’s lead lasted just seconds.

Harlequins winger Joe Marchant hit the try line and gave them the lead with only a few minutes left.

It was a desperate end, but the Chiefs refused to give up when 20-year-old Christ Tshiunza got a last-grasp try and won it in the final minute.

This crazy game ended Exeter Chiefs 43-42 Harlequins.

Exeter Chiefs:

J Simmonds; Nowell, Slade, Whitten, Woodburn; Skinner, Townsend; Hepburn, Cowan-Dickie (capt.), Williams; Van Heerden, Gray; Ewers, Tshiunza, Capstick

Replacements:

Yeandle, Kenny, Schickerling, Jenkins, S Simmonds, Maunder, O'Loughlin, Hogg
Sinbin: Whitten (70)

Harlequins:

Green; Marchant, Northmore, Anyanwu, Murley; Smith, Gjaltema; Garcia Botta, Walker (capt.), Louw; Hammond, Herbst; Kenningham, Evans, White

Replacements:

Head, Baxter, Kerrod, Lamb, Jurevicius, Care, Allan, David

Referee: Ian Tempest