Chiefs count bruises after taming Sharks
EXETER flew home from Manchester last night delighted at a hard-earned win in a bruising encounter which keeps them top.
A frantic finish included the sight of Sale’s substitute scrum-half Will Cliff and Dave Ewers, the Exeter back row, being helped off after a heavy midfield collision.
The duo needed treatment for head injuries though both were able to walk off even if somewhat wobbly.
Exeter boss Rob Baxter said it was a “rugby incident” and quelled Sale supporter claims that Ewers’ challenge had been dangerous. Both players will have to go through head injury assessments before they can play again.
Baxter was backed up by Steve Diamond, Sale’s director of rugby, who described Cliff as being “in the middle of next week” after he was injured, sparking a late home attack.
Cliff, who had replaced Faf de Klerk with the match seemingly over, led the Sale rally which nearly overturned an Exeter advantage of 20-7 after 62 minutes.
His try seven minutes from time, when he finished off Byron McGuigan’s smart break, gave Sale hope of salvaging more than just a losing bonus point.
However, overall Exeter deserved the success for their more composed play and finishing.
Sale paid for their mistakes which enabled Exeter to build that lead starting in the first half through tries by centre Ollie Devoto and flanker Dan Armand.
Devoto showed his agility by keeping himself in play when racing onto full-back Santiago Cordero’s kick ahead in the 20th minute.
Referee Ian Tempest took his time in awarding the score as Devoto went close to putting a foot on the line.
Exeter’s second try came in the final minute of the half and followed a prolonged period of pressure over some seven minutes.
Sale thought they had held out as three times they held up Exeter attacks on or over the line. However, Exeter are not champions for nothing and eventually built further pressure which ended in Armand bulldozing his way over.
Exeter turned-round 15-0 up and looked to be holding Sale until the 63rd minute when Sam James finished off near the posts following the first concerted home attack of the match.
De Klerk converted the try to put Sale 15-7 down which Exeter immediately countered by scoring their third try, this time through substitute forward Sean Lonsdale.
Again Sale had cause for complaint because Codero’s pass looked forward.
Though referee Tempest looked at the big screen replay he quickly signalled for a try much to anger of home fans.
Both teams followed the score by making a number of substitutes to signal that the contest was over at 20-7 to Exeter. But Cliff’s try – the best of the match – seven minutes from time made for that frenzied finish which needed all of Exeter’s composure to survive.
They were helped by the collision between Cliff and Ewers because it ended a Sale counter-attack as referee Tempest stopped play fearing a bad injury.
When play re-started, Sale could never get out of their own half in the last few seconds.