Exeter win Premiership title in extra-time

Editor

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Jack Yeandle of Exeter Chiefs (L) and Gareth Steenson of Exeter Chiefs lift The Aviva Premiership trophy after the Aviva Premiership Final between Wasps and Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham Stadium on May 27, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Exeter Chiefs became Premiership champions for the first time after defeating Wasps 23-20 after extra-time at Twickenham.

Exeter led at the break thanks to scores from Jack Nowell and Phil Dollman, with Wasps striking right at the end of the first half through Jimmy Gopperth to stay in touch at 14-10.

Elliot Daly's early score changed the outlook of the contest entirely, stemming from the work of the sensational Nathan Hughes, Gopperth and Gareth Steenson then exchanging penalties in a tight battle.

With the score at 20-17 Exeter unleashed everything they had on the Wasps' defence, eventually settling for a penalty with 30 seconds left to take the Premiership Final to extra-time for just the second time in history.

And so in the sunshine in front of a crowd of just under 80,000, with both sides out on their feet, Steenson stepped up and delivered a penalty in the 97th minute to send the Chiefs supporters back to Devon in a state of delirium after an outstanding final.

The three flags above Twickenham's north stand flew at half mast, with Monday's terrorist attack in Manchester acknowledged with an impeccably observed minute's silence prior to kick-off.

Less than three minutes was all it took for Exeter's pack to make their mark, turning in Phil Swainston at the scrum to win a penalty.

Wasps defended that early pressure but there were clear jitters on both sides, a sparkling break and offload from Daly going unrewarded. Smart defence from Hughes, rushing up to deliver two huge tackles, denied Exeter potential overlaps.

Swainston's afternoon at the scrum however was not getting any easier, a second penalty putting Exeter deep into Wasps' territory from where they struck.

A set lineout move with Luke Cowan-Dickie carrying round the corner, pulling the defence open, saw the ball popped inside to Nowell who raced clear to score in the corner. Steenson's conversion meant the Chiefs led 7-0.

From try-scoring heroics to try-saving, Nowell's intervention on Dan Robson immediately afterwards stopped what appeared to be a certain try after Willie le Roux and Jimmy Gopperth found a way through into open space.

Wasps settled for a penalty, cutting the deficit, but the nerves continued, Gopperth uncharacteristically dropping the ball and then finding himself cut off by Ian Whitten with a smart strip.

Exeter's scrum continued to dominate, winning a third penalty before half an hour had passed, and having had the better of the first half they were duly rewarded with a second try.

Ollie Devoto busted over the gain-line and had Wasps scrambling, the big centre then getting his offload away to new Wales call-up Dollman who did well to finish under pressure. Converted by Steenson, Exeter were well in control at 14-3.

All good things from Wasps seemed to stem from Hughes, who spent part of the first half off the field undergoing a Head Injury Assessment, and his break set Wasps up in the Exeter 22, but again it came to nothing.

How Wasps needed something to take into half-time after a first half full of errors, either via the hand or foot.

It took until the final seconds but they got just that, Danny Cipriani's quality offload to Tommy Taylor getting Wasps behind the defence, with Dan Robson creating the space to send Gopperth over for a quality score. Sorely needed, Wasps cut the gap to four points at half-time.

And the second half could not have started better. Turning Exeter over, the sensational Hughes bulldozed his way forward and with Dollman down being treated, meaning Exeter were short of a full-back, the ball was worked wide to Christian Wade who chipped the defence.

The bounce didn't work for the Wasps wing, but it did for Daly, chasing up in support and hurdling Olly Woodburn to finish and putting Wasps ahead for the first time at 17-14.

Not only had the lead swapped hands but so had the wobbles; a drop from Devoto and sliced kick to touch from Henry Slade unwanted at a time when Exeter needed to compose themselves. This was not the sequel to the wonder kick Slade produced to sink Saracens in the semi-final.

Wasps were now beginning to find space, a break from Gopperth resulting in a penalty in Exeter's 22 which Gopperth chipped over to make it 20-14.

It took plenty of time for Exeter to hit back but thanks to a Steenson penalty they did just that, making this a three-point game once again as Steenson managed the swirling wind.

An onslaught of tight carries followed, the Chiefs attempting to blast their way through Wasps and edging ever closer. After 34 phases Exeter had a penalty, opting for a scrum despite being just three points down.

There was no pushover, and no penalty, yet still the Chiefs pressed Wasps defence, winning another five-metre scrum after being held up short. Camped deep for so long, Wasps held firm, forcing the turnover to clear.

Wasps' defence, pulled and pummelled, continued to find solutions when required, as time began to run out on Exeter's bid for a first title.

Unable to find the try to win it, Exeter settled for a penalty, awarded with 90 seconds left, to send the game into extra-time after it finished 20-20 after 80 minutes.

Refinding form Exeter's scrum won a penalty, too far out given the breeze, and Wasps again held out defensively after Exeter's lineout failed to charge through as they hoped.

Wasps took their turn to go for the jugular, kicking deep into touch from a penalty, only to come up short themselves as the first half of extra-time finished as a stalemate. 

It truly could have gone either way, with a place kicking competition looming. After 94 minutes Exeter looked to have come up with the answer, youngster Simmonds claiming to have scored but the call needed the verdict of the TMO who could not get a sight of the ball.

The Chiefs scrum however delivered, winning a penalty for Steenson with under three minutes to go to clinch the title, which he comfortably slotted.

Your heart goes out to Wasps. Exeter Chiefs, promoted seven years ago for the first time, are Premiership champions. What a way to win it.

The scorers:

For Wasps:
Tries: Gopperth, Daly
Cons: Gopperth 2
Pens: Gopperth 2

For Exeter:
Tries: Nowell, Dollman
Cons: Steenson 2
Pens: Steenson 3

Wasps: 15 Willie Le Roux, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Jimmy Gopperth, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Thomas Young, 6 James Haskell, 5 Matt Symons, 4 Joe Launchbury (c), 3 Phil Swainston, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Matt Mullan
Replacements: 16 Ashley Johnson, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Marty Moore, 19 Kearnan Myall, 20 Guy Thompson, 21 Joe Simpson, 22 Alapati Leiua, 23 Frank Halai 

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Gareth Steenson (c), 9 Stuart Townsend, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Don Armand, 6 Kai Horstmann, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Dave Dennis, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ben Moon
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Carl Rimmer, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Mitch Lees, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Henry Slade, 23 Michele Campagnaro

Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley, Luke Pearce
TMO: Rowan Kitt