Chiefs head to sixth successive final

Twickenham beckons again

Exeter Chiefs booked their place in their sixth successive Premiership final after a dramatic 40-30 victory over Sale Sharks in the semi-final at Sandy Park. 

The Chiefs knew that they would have to cope without key forwards Dave Ewers and Sam Skinner following their four-week bans for dangerous tackles in last Saturday’s fixture against the same opposition. 

It didn’t take Exeter long to find their stride, after half breaks by Sam Simmonds and his brother Joe, the Chiefs found themselves only five metres out.

Chiefs went a man up after Sale's Manu Tuilagi caught Chiefs' openside Richard Capstick on the chin, resulting in an early yellow card for the Sharks' centre and a premature end to Capstick’s afternoon following a failed head injury assessment. Luke Cowan Dickie managed to bulldoze his way over in typical fashion from the resulting tap penalty, with Joe Simmonds converting to make it 7-0 to the hosts in just the sixth minute. 

Sale slowly built into the game, and they deservedly managed to get onto the scoreboard in the 18th minute with three points through Du Preez. 

Jack Nowell on his much anticipated return to the side, caught the Sharks defence napping with quick tap penalty from five meters out to extend the Chiefs lead, however the Sharks put another three on the board just before half time leaving the half time score at Exeter 22 – Sale 13.  

The second half began brightly for Exeter, with Joe Simmonds knocking over three points in the 44th minute, however the Sharks hit back when a beautiful grubber kick brought a second try of the afternoon for Van Rensburg, converted by Du Preez. 

It didn’t take Exeter long to respond however, after a beautifully waited cross field kick by Joe Simmonds sat up perfectly for Jack Nowell to dot down. Simmonds added the extras to provide the Chiefs with much-needed breathing room. 

Du Preez knocked over the more points for the visitors in the 57th minute, however the Chiefs looked to have sealed their place in next week’s final when Alex Cuthbert powered over from close range. The Sharks weren’t done though, with Daniel Du Preez barrelling over from a five-metre tap penalty to narrow the margin to seven points, making for a nervy final nine minutes. 

Joe Simmonds eased the home crowds nerves with just three minutes remaining, with a coolly slotted penalty, and the Chiefs managed to hold on to record yet another play-off semi-final victory, which will no doubt live long in the memory of the lucky 4,000 who managed to get tickets. 

Final score: Exeter Chiefs 40 – Sale Sharks 30.

Exeter now move onto yet another Premiership final at Twickenham where they will face Harlequins.