Saracens humbled by ruthless Chiefs
EXETER Chiefs secured their place in the semi-finals in the most comprehensive way possible, as they handed table-toppers Saracens a record domestic defeat on a glorious afternoon at Sandy Park.
The result ensures that the prize of a home semifinal remains firmly in the Chiefs’ hands, heading into next weekend’s clash at home against Bristol Bears.
Whilst Saracens hit the front early on, as Jodie Rettie found space in the Chiefs’ defensive wall, there was no stopping this Exeter side as they powered back into the lead.
Straight from the restart, Saracens strayed offside and Hope Rogers muscled over for her tenth try in as many games from loosehead prop.
Moments later, the Chiefs were in again with a try of the season contender from full-back Merryn Doidge, as she showed the agility and speed that had seen her called up to England 7s the week before to race in from
halfway.
Emily Tuttosi and Flo Robinson completed the scoring before half-time.
After the break, the Chiefs continued to turn the screw, as the returning Rachel Johnson muscled over from close range.
Vicky Fleetwood saw
yellow for her side as she attempted to stop the score, but the Chiefs were in no mood to give an inch.
The tries were flowing again and from the restart, Exeter were in again as Kate Zackary released Jennine Detiveaux to bulldoze her way down the wing and into the corner, leaving a shell-shocked Saracens struggling to understand what was happening.
Linde van der Velden then put in a clean fend to score her side’s seventh, before Hannah Botterman grabbed a consolation score for the Londoners.
Exeter would have the final say though, as Gabby Cantorna took her personal tally for the afternoon to 19 with a final try for her side, on a day that the Chiefs fully flexed their muscles in the league ahead of the playoffs.