Saracens 28-20 Exeter Chiefs
By Nick Powell
Saracens held off a thrilling Exeter Chiefs fightback as they became the first side to retain the Premiership since 2010 and the first team to win the European/Premiership double in England since 2004.
After a nervous start from both sides, Saracens had a 9-3 lead as they had the better of the play. Owen Farrell outscoring Gareth Steenson 3 penalties to 1.
Saracens suddenly found themselves in full control. Duncan Taylor and then Chris Wyles scored in the same corner in 5 minutes to help Saracens going into a 23-6 lead.
Exeter came back, Jack Yeandle and his namesake Nowell crossing in the second period to bring Exeter within 3 points and set up an exciting finish.
But Alex Goode went over in the latter stages to seal the victory for Saracens.
Saracens were the big favourites, they had thumped Leicester in the semi finals and whilst Exeter had beaten Wasps, Saracens' European Cup win was solidifying a growing aura that they had, with Exeter in their first play off, let alone final. Sarries have been in each of the last 7 and were looking to retain the title.
It was set to be a hugely physical war of attrition, both sides play in a similar way and haver incredibly solid defences, the battle was expected to be a brutal one. Saracens hoping they could strangle Exeter with their kicking game, Exeter looking to attack for long periods, and squeeze Saracens out of contention by tiring them out.
The first 20 minutes were surprisingly timid given the physicality of the two sides. Not wanting to hold the ball too long, they would play not much more than 5 phases before kicking high, attempting to force a mistake from each other. Both sides were pretty good defensively, putting in some good contacts and working hard but in attack they were offering nothing.
If one team had to be chosen as the better side, it was Saracens, and they had had more phases in the Exeter 22. After going through the phases early on they led through Farrell after just 2 minutes, and doubled their lead as they got within inches of the Exeter line before the west country side desperately infringed.
By Nick Powell
Saracens held off a thrilling Exeter Chiefs fightback as they became the first side to retain the Premiership since 2010 and the first team to win the European/Premiership double in England since 2004.
Saracens suddenly found themselves in full control. Duncan Taylor and then Chris Wyles scored in the same corner in 5 minutes to help Saracens going into a 23-6 lead.
Exeter came back, Jack Yeandle and his namesake Nowell crossing in the second period to bring Exeter within 3 points and set up an exciting finish.
But Alex Goode went over in the latter stages to seal the victory for Saracens.
Saracens were the big favourites, they had thumped Leicester in the semi finals and whilst Exeter had beaten Wasps, Saracens' European Cup win was solidifying a growing aura that they had, with Exeter in their first play off, let alone final. Sarries have been in each of the last 7 and were looking to retain the title.
It was set to be a hugely physical war of attrition, both sides play in a similar way and haver incredibly solid defences, the battle was expected to be a brutal one. Saracens hoping they could strangle Exeter with their kicking game, Exeter looking to attack for long periods, and squeeze Saracens out of contention by tiring them out.
The first 20 minutes were surprisingly timid given the physicality of the two sides. Not wanting to hold the ball too long, they would play not much more than 5 phases before kicking high, attempting to force a mistake from each other. Both sides were pretty good defensively, putting in some good contacts and working hard but in attack they were offering nothing.
If one team had to be chosen as the better side, it was Saracens, and they had had more phases in the Exeter 22. After going through the phases early on they led through Farrell after just 2 minutes, and doubled their lead as they got within inches of the Exeter line before the west country side desperately infringed.
Exeter were playing poorly, but found themselves on the score board as Sarries knocked on from a line out and two penalties helped them move into the Saracens half and then halve the gap. Unfortunately for them, Saracens continued to be the better side and soon had made a foray into the 22 which came almost as close as their previous chance. Geoff Parling was ruled to have tackled Jack Rhodes early as Sarries marched towards 7 points, but took the points from that penalty and took the three.
Despite the wonderful conditions, it was not one for the fair weather supporter but both sides had been very astute tactically, but Exeter were lacking set-piece, kicking and attacking confidence and Saracens were growing into the game. It was key that the League runners up went in at half time without any more damage being done but it was, painfully for Exeter.
Saracens scored the first try of the afternoon, a beautifully worked one from the London side. Schalk Brits gathered Gareth Steenson's kick and broke wonderfully into the Exeter 22, they infringed which allowed Farrell to put in a perfectly timed, executed and weighted grubber kick that sat up for Duncan Taylor who dabbed down to put the London side in control.
Duncan Taylor drew first blood for Saracens
They soon had their second, and it was painfully soft for Exeter. Farrell whipped a forward-looking pass wide to Chris Wyles. The American stepped inside, but was floored by Henry Slade. The England youngster failed to hold onto him however and he somehow slipped through and burst for the corner. Exeter got a late penalty after some strong phases as they made their first real attack with two Mitch lees half-breaks but were still a long way down as Wayne Barnes blew for half time and Saracens had one hand on the title.
Exeter needed the first score of the second half and they did look better coming out at half time. They were having more of the ball, and looking to attack with enterprise but poor passing and looseness stopped them from creating the chances. They were falling on the wrong side between clever and careless attack. It was on 52 minutes that they made their first real attack. After some loose Saracens play in their own 22 the chiefs won a scrum penalty and kicked for the corner. They went straight for the corner and a trademark driving maul finished over the Sarries line in the corner. The try was awarded and Gareth Steenson landed a good conversion to cut the gap to 10.
Exeter realised this was the way to attack Saracens, the only way they could put them under pressure. They were working up through the phases, mauling wherever they could and then there was a huge moment. On the 58th minute they had a kickable penalty but opted to go for the corner. The maul didn't work out and Henry Slade, who had a poor day, knocked on and Saracens cleared their lines. Exeter would need to fight very hard to reduce the gap with just 20 minutes left.
Saracens had their first big chance of the second half as Farrell kicked through, putting Jack Nowell under huge pressure. He did superbly well to recover but Exeter could only clear up to their 22 and were going to be put under huge pressure. They cleared through a penalty but were now had just 15 minutes left and Saracens had well and truly woken back up.
The West Country side put some phases together but lost the ball and were back in their own half. Slade chipped away but Goode ran it back and fed Itoje for a line break. The Chiefs held on after Olly Woodburn's desperate intervention stopped Saracens sealing the victory. They had the option of scrum or lineout however, and were just 22 metres out. They went for the lineout and the drive came. It was the Chiefs who won the vital penalty however and a clearance away meant they needed to cut the gap of 10 in 10 minutes.
Exeter drove and won a penalty. They headed for the corner and put together seven phases together but there was no way through, that was until Jack Nowell's quite sensational finish. Off quick ball, Exeter found space and as the Taylor carelessly flew out the line, Slade stepped and burst forward. He was tapped tackled and offloaded to Dollman, who passed far too early to Nowell, but the ever reliable England winger showed amazing strength to wriggle over in the corner. Steenson landed the extras to set up a grandstand finish.
It was Saracens who struck the ultimately deadly blow however, Exeter cleared poorly yet again and Saracens put phase after phase together before space opened up on the right. Marcelo Bosch got his hands free as he flew up the line and found Ashton who quickly made a wide pass to Alex Goode, who further stamped his England credentials with a fine finish. It was enough of a buffer and Saracens held on with typically rock solid defence. Ashton stupidly acted like he thought he had scored at the end after an overhit Charlie Hodgson chip, and despite that not being awarded the celebrations could start yet again
Nick's Notes
The first 40 minutes was Exeter's worst half of the season. In the same town they had produced their very best, crushing Quins 62-24 with 7 second half tries they had produced their worst. They fell into the Saracens strangling trap through disappointing exit and kick chase play allowing Saracens to dominate territory and possession, and take their chances. The overwhelming difference was the kicking to compete. Saracens put huge pressure, or made a big tackle on the person catching their kicks. In contrast, Exeter kicked long and chased passively giving Brits, Goode and Vunipola 20 metres before they reached a white shirt and with Saracens running their cunning blocking lines, Exeter were always in trouble when the they ran it back.
The second half was much better from Exeter, their fightback typified everything great about their team, showing incredible fighting spirit. They struggled to attack early on but eventually exploited Saracens weak area. But Saracens aren't double winners for nothing, they showed incredible temperament in the latter stages to hold out and while they missed several chances they took one key one at the end and came away with the win.
Player Analysis
For Saracens, Alex Goode thoroughly deserved the man of the match award and Mike Brown will have to do something very special against Wales tomorrow to hold on to his 15 shirt as an England player. Goode ran it back excellently every time Exeter struggled to clear and made sure Saracens were on the front foot every time. In the pack, Schalk Brits hit his line outs and made that sensational break, Itoje was typically brutal and Vunipola made some strong carries. Owen Farrell further stamped his name on England's number 10 shirt with a fantastic kicking performance out of hand and from the tee.
Henry Slade really struggled for Exeter, he made a lot of mistakes and played with very little confidence, showing that he still has some way to come before he can perform at a world class level in a huge game like this one. In the pack they did well in the second half and that started right in their front row but they didn't perform well enough in the first period. The man who some blame has to come down on is Will Chudley, every single one of his box kicks were too long, Steenson was slightly guilty of this too but he led well and nailed his place kicks. Jack Nowell was the pick of their players, his amazing finish, recovery and running play making up for poor positioning at times.
Saracens: Goode 9, Ashton 8, Taylor 7, Barritt 6 (capt), Wyles 7, Farrell 8, Wigglesworth 7, M. Vunipola 6, Brits 8, du Plessis 6, Itoje 8, Kruis 6, Rhodes 7, Fraser 6, B. Vunipola 7
Total: 106/150
Exeter: Dollman 5, Nowell 8, Slade 4, Whitten 5, Woodburn 7, Steenson 7 (capt), Chudley 5, Moon 7, Cowan-Dickie 7, Williams 7, Lees 8, Parling 6, Ewers 6, Salvi 7, Armand 6
Total: 95/150
Attendance: 76,109
Exeter needed the first score of the second half and they did look better coming out at half time. They were having more of the ball, and looking to attack with enterprise but poor passing and looseness stopped them from creating the chances. They were falling on the wrong side between clever and careless attack. It was on 52 minutes that they made their first real attack. After some loose Saracens play in their own 22 the chiefs won a scrum penalty and kicked for the corner. They went straight for the corner and a trademark driving maul finished over the Sarries line in the corner. The try was awarded and Gareth Steenson landed a good conversion to cut the gap to 10.
Exeter realised this was the way to attack Saracens, the only way they could put them under pressure. They were working up through the phases, mauling wherever they could and then there was a huge moment. On the 58th minute they had a kickable penalty but opted to go for the corner. The maul didn't work out and Henry Slade, who had a poor day, knocked on and Saracens cleared their lines. Exeter would need to fight very hard to reduce the gap with just 20 minutes left.
Saracens had their first big chance of the second half as Farrell kicked through, putting Jack Nowell under huge pressure. He did superbly well to recover but Exeter could only clear up to their 22 and were going to be put under huge pressure. They cleared through a penalty but were now had just 15 minutes left and Saracens had well and truly woken back up.
The West Country side put some phases together but lost the ball and were back in their own half. Slade chipped away but Goode ran it back and fed Itoje for a line break. The Chiefs held on after Olly Woodburn's desperate intervention stopped Saracens sealing the victory. They had the option of scrum or lineout however, and were just 22 metres out. They went for the lineout and the drive came. It was the Chiefs who won the vital penalty however and a clearance away meant they needed to cut the gap of 10 in 10 minutes.
Exeter drove and won a penalty. They headed for the corner and put together seven phases together but there was no way through, that was until Jack Nowell's quite sensational finish. Off quick ball, Exeter found space and as the Taylor carelessly flew out the line, Slade stepped and burst forward. He was tapped tackled and offloaded to Dollman, who passed far too early to Nowell, but the ever reliable England winger showed amazing strength to wriggle over in the corner. Steenson landed the extras to set up a grandstand finish.
Nowell brought the game to life late on
It was Saracens who struck the ultimately deadly blow however, Exeter cleared poorly yet again and Saracens put phase after phase together before space opened up on the right. Marcelo Bosch got his hands free as he flew up the line and found Ashton who quickly made a wide pass to Alex Goode, who further stamped his England credentials with a fine finish. It was enough of a buffer and Saracens held on with typically rock solid defence. Ashton stupidly acted like he thought he had scored at the end after an overhit Charlie Hodgson chip, and despite that not being awarded the celebrations could start yet again
Nick's Notes
The first 40 minutes was Exeter's worst half of the season. In the same town they had produced their very best, crushing Quins 62-24 with 7 second half tries they had produced their worst. They fell into the Saracens strangling trap through disappointing exit and kick chase play allowing Saracens to dominate territory and possession, and take their chances. The overwhelming difference was the kicking to compete. Saracens put huge pressure, or made a big tackle on the person catching their kicks. In contrast, Exeter kicked long and chased passively giving Brits, Goode and Vunipola 20 metres before they reached a white shirt and with Saracens running their cunning blocking lines, Exeter were always in trouble when the they ran it back.
The second half was much better from Exeter, their fightback typified everything great about their team, showing incredible fighting spirit. They struggled to attack early on but eventually exploited Saracens weak area. But Saracens aren't double winners for nothing, they showed incredible temperament in the latter stages to hold out and while they missed several chances they took one key one at the end and came away with the win.
Player Analysis
For Saracens, Alex Goode thoroughly deserved the man of the match award and Mike Brown will have to do something very special against Wales tomorrow to hold on to his 15 shirt as an England player. Goode ran it back excellently every time Exeter struggled to clear and made sure Saracens were on the front foot every time. In the pack, Schalk Brits hit his line outs and made that sensational break, Itoje was typically brutal and Vunipola made some strong carries. Owen Farrell further stamped his name on England's number 10 shirt with a fantastic kicking performance out of hand and from the tee.
Henry Slade really struggled for Exeter, he made a lot of mistakes and played with very little confidence, showing that he still has some way to come before he can perform at a world class level in a huge game like this one. In the pack they did well in the second half and that started right in their front row but they didn't perform well enough in the first period. The man who some blame has to come down on is Will Chudley, every single one of his box kicks were too long, Steenson was slightly guilty of this too but he led well and nailed his place kicks. Jack Nowell was the pick of their players, his amazing finish, recovery and running play making up for poor positioning at times.
Saracens: Goode 9, Ashton 8, Taylor 7, Barritt 6 (capt), Wyles 7, Farrell 8, Wigglesworth 7, M. Vunipola 6, Brits 8, du Plessis 6, Itoje 8, Kruis 6, Rhodes 7, Fraser 6, B. Vunipola 7
Total: 106/150
Exeter: Dollman 5, Nowell 8, Slade 4, Whitten 5, Woodburn 7, Steenson 7 (capt), Chudley 5, Moon 7, Cowan-Dickie 7, Williams 7, Lees 8, Parling 6, Ewers 6, Salvi 7, Armand 6
Total: 95/150
Attendance: 76,109
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