LUKEY BREAK

But Baxter warns Chiefs: Grudge-match wins aren’t titles

Exeter 18 Saracens

15

By ADAM HATHAWAY at Sandy Park

EXETER boss Rob Baxter watched his side knock over their most bitter rivals – but insists they have to tame more top dogs to be title contenders again.

Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, back from an ankle injury, scored the gamebreaking try on 56 minutes and

Chiefs hung on despite Alex Lozowski’s five penalties.

It was just a second home win of the season for Chiefs, who stand fourth in the Premiership heading into two weeks of European action.

But Baxter (above) reckons they need more of the same against the league’s other big names, if they are going to nail down a third Premiership title after a shaky start.

He said: “We have to show we can knock these guys over because that is what we haven’t done. We lost to Leicester, we haven’t beaten them and need to find a way to if we want to win the Premiership. We had to show we could do that to Saracens, we have to show we can do that to Quins.

“I am just really pleased we put in that kind of performance against a team we should expect to be around the top of the table at the end of the season.” Cowan-Dickie has not played since October 16, when he was carted off against Wasps, and missed England’s autumn campaign.

But apart from a couple of wobbly lineout throws he was spot on and Baxter confirmed he will captain Chiefs in Europe against Montpellier next weekend. Baxter added: “He has had an incredible period of rehab and come back in better shape than our conditioners have seen him.”

Saracens were left to regret getting on the wrong side of referee Luke Pearce, who hammered them for backchat. Billy Vunipola got marched back 20 metres for returning for another row with the official after being forced to retreat once already.

That cost his side three points as it put the kick in Joe Simmonds’ range and Mako Vunipola and Nick Isiekwe were also pinged for verbals.

Sarries boss Mark McCall said: “We were let down by inaccuracy and ill-discipline. We were marched back three times.

“It’s not just frustrating, it’s cost us points and decisions later because you’re on the wrong side of the referee and things you deserve you don’t get.”

Exeter led 8-6 at the break thanks to Tom O’Flaherty’s try when he beat Sarries scrum-half Aled Davies to a cross-kick.

They had butchered a few chances but got things right again when Cowan-Dickie barged over from a typical Chiefs driving lineout. Lozowski’s boot kept the visitors in touch but they could not edge ahead. EXETER CHIEFS: Tries: O’Flaherty, CowanDickie; Pens: Simmonds 2; Con: Simmonds SARACENS: Pens: Lozowski 5