Exeter Chiefs Defeat Harlequins in Thrilling Premiership Clash
Exeter Chiefs kept their Premiership play-off hopes alive with an impressive 58-26 victory over fellow top-four hopefuls Harlequins. The two sides shared six tries as they went into the break level, with Marcus Smith and Dan John scoring impressive opening tries.
However, Exeter took control in the second half, with tries from Harvey Skinner, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Skinner again, and Dafydd Jenkins, while Henry Slade added 26 points with his boot. Louis Lynagh scored a late consolation try for Quins, securing a crucial bonus point.
The bonus-point win puts Exeter fifth on 50 points, just two points off fourth-placed Sale, who face Saracens on the final day. Quins drop to sixth, level on points with Exeter, and will host seventh-placed Bristol next week, with both sides knowing they must win and hope the Chiefs slip up to have a chance of fourth place.
“I thought we coped with things particularly well after half-time. The score at half-time for us was very important, but we did also talk about if we wanted any benefit from the fatigue level of Harlequins having to come back from Toulouse on Sunday, it wouldn’t happen in the first half, it would happen second half.” – Rob Baxter, Exeter Director of Rugby
Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson acknowledged his side’s second-half collapse, stating:
“It’s a second-half performance that is not us, it’s a bit of a collapse if we’re honest. But we scored the fourth try, which could be vital, and the character we showed to do that was pleasing.”
The Premiership clash between Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins was a thrilling encounter, with both sides showcasing their attacking prowess. Exeter’s dominant second-half performance proved to be the decisive factor, keeping their play-off hopes alive and dealing a blow to Harlequins’ chances of securing a top-four finish.
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