| Exeter Chiefs (17) 24 |
| Tries: Penalty, Kata, Schickerling Cons: J Simmonds 2 Pen: J Simmonds |
| Leicester Tigers (6) 20 |
| Tries: Liebenberg, Clare Cons: Gopperth 2 Pens: Burns 2 |
Patrick Schickerling’s last-second attempt helped Exeter come again to beat Premiership champions Leicester.
Exeter have been awarded a penalty attempt halfway via the primary half earlier than Solomone Kata’s attempt on his debut meant the hosts led 17-6 at half-time.
Hanro Liebenberg received Tigers’ first attempt eight minutes after the break earlier than Charlie Clare put them forward.
Schickerling, who had had a attempt disallowed, compelled his manner over after Leicester gave away a late penalty.
Joe Simmonds’ early penalty for Exeter was cancelled out by Freddie Burns’ Twelfth-minute three-pointer.
Nonetheless, the Leicester fly-half was despatched to the sin-bin as Exeter received the primary attempt when he intentionally batted Harvey Skinner’s Twentieth-minute kick behind with the Chiefs fly-half bearing down on the ball.
Exeter defended properly and, following a second Burns penalty, Kata went in from 10 metres shortly earlier than half-time after Olly Woodburn’s kick arrange good discipline place.
Dan Cole charged down Simmonds’ kick to permit Liebenberg to go over as Leicester improved after the break. Clare then touched down after a catch-and-drive from a close-range lineout after an hour.
Exeter upped the strain, with Schickerling having a attempt disallowed for a knock-on quickly after, whereas Richard Capstick, Ruben van Heerden and Dave Ewers have been all held up over the road by Leicester’s defence.
The hosts had Alec Hepburn yellow-carded for a excessive deal with with 14 minutes left, however regardless of maintaining the strain, it appeared as if they’d not get previous the champions’ rearguard.
However Liebenberg was caught offside within the 79th minute, and after kicking to the touch and profitable the lineout, Schicklerling was compelled over from shut vary after 4 phases to safe an Exeter win.
Exeter head coach Ali Hepher:
“There was nothing fortunate with the win as I assumed we have been in management for many of that match.
“In that closing quarter, we had three hold-ups over the road, a disallowed attempt, and when the yellow card got here for Alec Hepburn, I assumed we have been up towards it.
“Nonetheless, we stored going at them and received our reward nevertheless it was a recreation we might have misplaced final yr.”
Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick:
“The boys are gutted to lose within the final play however we gave them one too many alternatives.
“There have been numerous positives to take from the sport as everybody labored exceptionally exhausting for the membership.
“Exeter got here out with a particular plan and executed it very properly however we tailored by making a couple of tweaks to be main on the scoreboard however we missed a couple of essential alternatives.”
Exeter Chiefs: J Simmonds; Nowell, Whitten, Kata, Woodburn; Skinner, Townsend; Hepburn, Yeandle, Road, Dunne, Grey, Kirsten, Tshiunza, Capstick.
Replacements: Innard, Kenny, Schickerling, Van Heerden, Ewers, J Maunder, O’Loughlin, Cordero.
Leicester Tigers: Ashton; Potter, Scott, Gopperth, Saumaki; Burns, Youngs; Cronin, Clare, Cole, Wells, Snyman, Martin, Reffell, Liebenberg.
Replacements: Taufete’e, Van Wyk, Hurd, Henderson, Cracknell, Wigglesworth, Cokanasiga, Murimurivalu.
Referee: Christophe Ridley.
