Simmonds in charge as Chiefs snatch it
A RECORD crowd at Sandy Park were treated to a royal feast of 13 tries as Harlequins just came out second best ahead of their semi-final at Saracens next week.
Saracens chose to rest their leading players at Gloucester in readiness for the contest but all of Quins’ leading lights were on show.
Harlequins head coach Tabai Matson said: “We needed to play at fullstrength as we were not involved in Europe and had only played twice in the last five weeks.
“We were disappointed to lose Aaron Morris with another injury but he’s optimistic that it’s not too serious so we got through relatively unscathed.
“It was festival rugby but we learnt a lot defensively by being really tested as they are a phenomenal side who keep possession superbly.
“Our defence was excellent at times and it’s annoying that we didn’t come away with a losing bonus-point but we have to move forward quickly and focus on next week.”
England coach Eddie Jones was present to witness an enthralling contest and he will take heart from impressive performances from Quins’ threestole
quarters, Joe Marchant and Louis Lynagh.
There was also a welcome return to action for Jack Nowell but it was Chiefs’ Joe Simmonds who
the show with a welljudged performance to reward the whole-hearted efforts of his flankers, Dave Ewers and Jacques Vermuelen.
Quins had the better of the early exchanges and were rewarded with the opening score when a speculative kick from Marcus Smith bounced awkwardly for Will Evans to collect and score.
The visitors then suffered two setbacks. First, Matt Symons was yellowcarded for a deliberate offside before Exeter capitalised when Jonny Gray finished off a succession of forward drives.
Despite the loss of Symons, Quins were next on the scoresheet when Marchant took advantage of another chip ahead and another favourable bounce.
Tries were coming thick and fast with Exeter taking the lead for the first time when Stuart Hogg outflanked the defence.
Symons returned in time to see Morris crash over for Quins’ third but the wing was hurt in the process and limped off.
Exeter scored the sixth try of the half, an opportunist one from Simmonds, who evaded two tackles on a 25m run to the line to leave the sides level 19-19 at half-time.
Exeter dominated the opening period of the second half to score their bonus-point try when Ian Whitten was provided with an easy run-in. Quins then scored the game’s best try when Smith broke from inside his 22 before combining with Lynagh, who showed the defence a clean pair of heels by racing in from halfway.
Smith was replaced before Exeter scored again with Nowell walking over to reward a period of sustained forward pressure.
Quins remained in contention when Lewis Gjaltema won the race to a kick ahead from Alex Dombrandt but Tommy Allan missed the conversion to leave his side trailing 33-31 going into the final quarter.
More brilliance from the visitors saw Marchant provide Tyrone Green a 40m run-in before Exeter sealed victory with a close-range try from Marcus Street and a last-minute effort from Sam Maunder.