Last gasp snatch as Chiefs win in extra time

Club captain Yeandle scores in last moments

When Exeter Chiefs lost to westcountry rivals Bath last month Exeter’s director of rugby Rob Baxter was exasperated by the performance.

However, today he witnessed stunning scenes as Exeter Chiefs progress to the quarter finals of the European Champions Cup as they beat French side Montpellier by the skin of their teeth after the scores were level at 33 after extra time. Only the number of tries scored put them through.

With two early tries from the visitors giving them a 12-point lead after the opening 10 minutes, a Chiefs'  comeback up their sleeve came through converted tries by prop Scott Sio and number eight Sam Simmonds.

However, this wasn’t enough for Exeter to have the lead at half time. 

The second half didn’t start to well for Montpellier as they had a try disallowed and then their number eight Zach Mercer was sent off after a high tackle on Chiefs’ lock Christ Tzshiunza. 

Despite being down to 14 men, Montpellier weren’t about to go out of the competition without a fight. They won a penalty which Garbisi slotted to extend their lead, but this was instantly followed by the try of the game as Sam Simmonds went on a typical run down the left-hand side before offloading inside to full back Tom Wyatt on his European debut. He fended off two French defenders to touchdown spectacularly in the corner. 

This got the Chiefs fired up and after repeatedly knocking at Montpellier’s door, Prop Josh Losefa-Scott  crashed over for Chiefs’ fourth try, but Montpellier responded well and they thought they had scored a try through centre Thomas Darmon only for it to be ruled out for an earlier knock on.

With Chiefs holding onto their three point lead, the clock was edging towards the red. The Sandy Park crowd got up a noise, urging Exeter to repel the French. Chiefs’ inside centre Sean O’Brien managed to gain possession but unfortunately was snaffled and conceded a penalty for holding on. From just inside chiefs’ half, Garbisi stepped up and slotted the penalty to send the tie into extra time. 

The only thing of note after a quiet first half of extra time was a galloping run of Sam Simmonds which saw him pulled down just short from the line.

It appeared that Chiefs’ hopes had been dashed when Montpellier scored a converted try to put them into the lead with only six minutes to go as fly half Louis Carbonel cut in to a gap in the Chiefs’ defence to give the visitors the advantage of a seven point lead. 

Roared on by the crowd, Chiefs gave it one last roll of the dice flying into carry after carry, Chiefs edged ever closer to the Montpellier try line. After numerous phases, Club captain Jack Yeandle crashed over to cut the deficit to two points. This left fly half Joe Simmonds with a conversion to win the game as Chiefs had scored more tries than Montpellier – and he did it! Sandy Park erupted. Fans were ecstatic at the final whistle amid scenes were not witnessed since the semi final against Saracens in 2017.

After the game, Former Exeter Chiefs player Chris Bentley said that this was the best game that he had seen at Sandy Park in his 19 years supporting the club. 

Exeter Chiefs will now face South African side DHL Stormers at Sandy Park in the quarter finals.