MATCH REPORT: Hodge's brace makes him player-of-match
A dominant Exeter Chiefs first half proved enough in the end to narrowly beat Sale Sharks and move up to fifth with a game in hand.
Going into round 18 of the Premiership, Exeter sitting seventh, but having dropped down the table ahead of Sunday's game, a win provided more reassurance that a play-off place could still be within their own gift.
The Chiefs looked strong from the start, exposing Sale’s weaknesses as the away side gave away five penalties in four minutes. But nothing came from these early phases and the game began to level out.
Exeter went down to 14 men afte fly-half Harvey Skinner was sin binned, after a TMO review determined he had made an upright tackle. Subsequently, Sale kicked a penalty, and took an early lead.
A man down meant, Sale could exploit Exeter’s gaps, and their winger Tom Roebuck sprinted through them untouched to touch down from 40 metres.
Exeter responded quickly when forward Harry Williams scored from close range after countless rucks. The game livened up once more.
Shortly before the break, two yellow cards for Sale gave Exeter a golden opportunity, to the advantage of fleet-footed Josh Hodge who first bundled down in the corner and then, following sustained pressure over Sale, scored an even more impressive try; his dancing feet bringing the half-time score to Exeter Chiefs 21, Sale Sharks 10.
The start of the second half was all Sale Sharks. They secured their second try early on and reduced Exeter’s advantage to four points.
The Chiefs didn’t made it out of their half for large part of the second half, the game turning on its head to Sale’s advantage.
With the Sharks in control they scored in the corner to lead by one point.
When Olly Woodburn looked to have brought a bonus-point try, a review initially examined whether the Exeter should have been penalised for a red-card offence (contentiously ruled out), before revealing Woodburn had been bundled into touch,
With less than 10 minutes to go, Exeter fly-half Harvey skinner regained the lead with a penalty kick, and the Chiefs then held on. As the crowd counted down the clock, the Chiefs kicked the ball out to take four points and move them into fifth.
It’s not into play-off place safety, but that target moves closer.
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