Match action - starts
Jubilation: Prop Harry Williams goes over for Exeter in their win against Saracens
EXETER ended Saracens 22-match unbeaten record that stretched back to last April with a second-half display of such blood and thunder that the English champions were left groggy on the canvas.
Sandy Park’s full house was in ecstasy as three tries in the final quarter from steaming forward drives saw the Chiefs bump Saracens from the top of the table.
The first saw Harry Williams rumble over after a strong cut inside by Ollie Devoto, and with Gareth Steenson converting for a 17-6 lead the Chiefs grew in conviction.
The second was a penalty try awarded after a drive initiated by their outstanding lock Sam Skinner, and it left Saracens in disarray at 24-6 adrift as Schalk Burger was sin-binned after an unsuccessful attempt to scupper it.
Saracens struck back when a pass from Christian Judge sent Ben Spencer racing in, but even though it narrowed the gap to 24-13 it was nothing more than damage limitation.
There was no holding Exeter, and in the final act of the match the Chiefs pack mounted a last unstoppable surge from a line-out to send Matt Kvesic crashing through the splintered Saracens ranks to score, with Joe Simmonds’ conversion putting the seal on an emphatic victory.
This bonus point victory also avenged Exeter’s 27-10 defeat the last time the teams met in the Premiership final in May.
On this occasion it was the Chiefs who summoned the qualities that separate champions from challengers, scenting Saracens vulnerability after they lost captain Brad Barritt with concussion and rugged blindside Michael Rhodes with a shoulder injury either side of the break.
Although the pressure mounted on Saracens in the second-half with the Chiefs kick-chase harrying the visitors into a cascade errors, cracks had begun to appear in their usually stonewall defence in the first-half.
The reigning English champions started strongly and established a 6-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to two Owen Farrell penalties. They might have had more after Vincent Koch came close following a sustained pick-and-drive barrage.
However, it was Exeter who got over the line first when, midway through the half, Saracens attempted to clear from a throw five metres from their own line.
The ball was secured, but Skinner, who having been capped by Scotland is having one of those ‘coming of age’ seasons, managed to steal round the side.
Skinner’ charge down of Ben Spencer’s clearance saw the ball bounce straight into the path of Luke Cowan-Dickie and the Chiefs hooker – who started only because Jack Yeandle withdrew late on due to sickness – fell over the line.
With Steenson converting from the touchline the Chiefs led 7-6, and while Exeter grew in confidence Saracens appeared rattled. This was highlighted when the usually error-free Alex Lewington coughed-up three consecutive knockons, which the Chiefs exploited to win the territorial battle for the remainder of the half.
The dividend came when a series of scrum resets ended with Saracens penalised, and Steenson’s strike on the stroke of halftime meant Exeter went into the second-half with a 10-6 advantage.
At that stage the contest was evenly balanced, but by the end of it the Chiefs had gone on the warpath to take the scalp they prize more than any other.