Steenson leads way for Chiefs
ROB BAXTER’s men may well look back and consider this one of the defining results of their season.
Somehow, in the face of a determined, highly-motivated and high quality Harlequins side, not to mention some of the worst conditions witnessed at Sandy Park, Exeter forged a victory that consolidates their position in second place in the Aviva Premiership.
Four of the six tries scored were by Conor O’Shea’s men — but it was Exeter who came out on top of an absorbing clash which saw Chiefs fly-half Gareth Steenson post 21 points through four penalties, two conversions and second-half try.
The relief on the Exeter player’s faces when referee Matt Carley blew his final whistle had as much to do with them getting out of jail as it did to do with them escaping mild hypothermia as treacherous wind and rain swirled around.
Sometimes accused of playing too much attractive rugby without delivering a result, Exeter ground out this vital win despite conceding three first-half tries with the howling wind at their backs.
‘It was quite a timid, passive per- formance from us in the first half and Quins took advantage,’ said Chiefs director of rugby Baxter.
‘Thankfully in the second half we showed our proper qualities and defended heroically at times. Some of the lads and coaches are frustrated with the performance but sometimes you just have to pull back and look at the scoreboard. Sometimes you win games and wonder how you’ve won them.’
Quins will play far worse than this and win. They produced an outstanding first 39 minutes, playing some top drawer rugby despite the conditions.
Dave Ward, a hooker playing at openside because of injury to others, was tenacious and a menace at the breakdown while Chris Robshaw enjoyed a brutally physical tussle with Exeter No6 Dave Ewers. The pair will face further battles in the near future for the England blindside position. ‘I never single people out, but I thought Chris Robshaw was outstanding today,’ O’Shea said. ‘I hope people take a long, hard look at that before they start writing him off.’
Quins left for the long drive back to west London with two bonus points but wondering how they could score three first-half tries — through Nick Evans, Charlie Walker and a penalty try — but still go in at 19-17 down at half time and ultimately go on to lose the game.
James Short’s try on the stroke of half-time, after Mike Brown lost the ball in contact, saw Exeter take a narrow lead in at half time before Steenson crossed on 56 minutes to put Exeter 26-20 in front after Evans kicked an early second-half penalty for the visitors.
Exeter further hampered them- selves when Elvis Taione was sin binned for a dangerous tackle with 18 minutes left and Quins’ luck looked to have turned decisively when Mike Brown’s speculative kick ricocheted off the corner flag and Tim Visser pounced.
But replacement fly half Tim Swiel — on for the concussed Evans — was unable to convert from the left touch line and he missed a penalty chance with three minutes left after Chiefs flanker Tom Johnson had been sent to the sin bin.
‘You get what you deserve and Exeter deserved to win, because they won,’ said O’Shea, Quins director of rugby. ‘It’s a game we let slip. But if we play like that every week, as we have in the first five games of this season, we’re going to be right in it.’