Sarries kids produce the goods again for McCall
EXETER suffered their first defeat in eight games as both sides put out much-changed lineups ahead of European Cup action, including just three players who featured in last year’s Premiership final.
Rotimi Segun and Dom Morris tries put Sarries 15-5 up at the break, with Facundo Cordero going over for Chiefs. Will Witty grabbed a second try for Premiership leaders Exeter either side of two Manu Vunipola penalties for Saracens.
Elliott Obatoyinbo, Janco Venter and Cameron Boon all touched down to secure a bonus-point win. Former Wallaby forward Dave Dennis scored a late consolation try deep into injury time.
Saracens boss Mark McCall: “We’re thrilled because that was a big achievement for a very young group. Most of them also played on Wednesday night.
“They brought a lot of energy and togetherness despite having played only four days ago. Exeter were also a young side but they didn’t play on Wednesday.”
Exeter, who had secured a Premiership play-off spot a week earlier, had Don Armand lead them out as captain, while second row Dennis was also there when Chiefs were beaten to the league crown last term.
Saracens had only Tom Woolstencroft on the bench from the side that lifted the title.
Saracens’ forwards set the hosts up for the ideal start, building pressure inside the 22 before Vunipola sent Segun over in the corner with a looped pass.
Cordero scored for Chiefs 11 minutes into his debut after quick hands from Phil Dollman.
Vunipola landed the first successful kick of the afternoon to edge the Londoners ahead in the 34th minute, having twice hit the post with kicks earlier in the game, and Morris was on the end of a Juan Pablo Socino pass to help make it a ten-point lead before half-time.
A second Vunipola penalty increased the advantage after the break, only for Witty to go over after Sarries had resisted a succession of driving mauls.
A fine cross-kick from Vunipola, who had added a third penalty moments before, was collected by Obatoyinbo to score spectacularly out wide.
Venter, making his first start for Sarries, touched down for a pushover try and Boon grabbed his first try for the club before Dennis had the last word.
Exeter head coach Rob Baxter said: “It would be a ridiculous if I said today would have a negative effect on Sunday, that would be poor as a coach.”