Chiefs cheers, Sarries tears
Slade inspires last-gasp win to end double Double dream
IF Henry Slade never takes the field again for Exeter Chiefs, he will be forever remembered in the Sandy Park book of legends for his nervedefying 60-metre touch find in the dying seconds of this astonishing game.
Less than four minutes after Saracens replacement winger Mike Ellery looked to have put the defending champions on course for a famous double- double with a wonderfully taken 76th-minute try, Exeter’s substitute centre hit the sweetest of leftfooted kicks deep into Saracens territory after referee Wayne Barnes had awarded a scrum penalty.
Anything less than Slade’s longrange howitzer would have left Exeter’s forwards with a mountain to climb. However, with the wind at his back, his inch-perfect kick dropped over the touchline and provided the platform for lock Dave Dennis to claim the line out. With seemingly the whole of Exeter willing him over, Sam Simmonds emerged from the fi ve- metre driving maul to t he acclaim of the crowd.
In a split second, Exeter put to bed the painful memories of last season’s Aviva Premiership final when Mark McCall’s men had taught them a lesson with a crushing defeat.
There have been some wonderful moments at this vibrant ground since they were promoted from the Championship in 2010 but surely there can have been none better than this.
They defeated a Saracens team who, despite losing Chris Ashton and Michael Rhodes t hrough i njury within the opening 11 minutes, looked set to power through to Twickenham after Ellery’s extraordinarily athletic finish had put them three points ahead with four minutes left.
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter looked resigned to a typically backs-to-the wall victory from the defending champions, who were most people’s favourites to claim a third Premiership title in succession.
Strangely, Baxter chose not to speak to the media afterwards, leaving it to forwards coach Rob Hunter to reflect on one of the greatest moments in the West Country club’s history.
‘That was a great lesson in going for it,’ Hunter said. ‘You don’t just cuff kicks like that but the best players largely get them right.’
Last Saturday’s superb Champions Cup final triumph against Clermont had been celebrated in style by Saracens but they turned up here determined to end their season in style.
The visitors absolutely played their part in one of the most physical encounters in memory, as Sandy Park was shaken to its foundations by the towering home support.
With Exeter playing into the wind in the first half, fly-halves Owen Farrell and Gareth Steenson both kicked two penalties as the sides went in 6-6 at t he i nterval. Jack Nowell, who enjoyed an outstanding afternoon’s work, scored a well-taken try after 43 minutes following a break from the excellent Ollie Devoto and Steenson’s conversion made it 13-6 before Chris Wyles went over for Sarries and Ellery’s wondrous finish looked to have edged it for the visitors.
But when Barnes judged Saracens had infringed at a scrum, Slade hit the kick of his life and Simmons piled over with 26 seconds left.
‘It was one of the great kicks of all time from Henry Slade,’ said Saracens director of rugby McCall.
‘He puts that anywhere else and I would be sitting here talking about one of the great wins and fights from a team who were a bit tired.’
Saracens can be proud of this performance. To pick themselves up from last weekend’s lung-busting victory was testament to their fighting spirit and will to win.
Farrell was a talisman again, while Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola again excelled. Vunipola played most of the game carrying what appeared to be a wrist injury — something which could yet prove a concern for Lions coach Warren Gatland. But ultimately, it was a bridge too far for this determined team of warriors.
‘We kept on fighting and scrapping and we almost played them to perfection and had the game with 90 seconds left,’ McCall added. ‘Well done to Exeter and all the best for them reaching the final in two consecutive years.’
Exeter will be desperately hard to beat next Saturday at Twickenham. There is unfinished business at HQ for Baxter’s men.