Classy Owen Farrell commands Saracens to bonus point win over Exeter Chiefs

Owen Farrell’s decision-making and composure in the second-half powered Saracens to a 40-22 win over Exeter Chiefs at the StoneX Stadium.

Saracens scored their points through a James Hadfield brace of tries whilst Ivan van Zyl, Juan Martin Gonzalez and Theo McFarland also crossed the whitewash. Farrell managed three conversions, two penalties and a clutch drop goal on the night.

The visitors scored three tries through a lovely Olly Woodburn finish, Greg Fisilau and Rusi Tuima, with Josh Hodge adding two conversions and a penalty in a losing cause.

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The opening score came from hooker Hadfield, who rumbled over from 10 metres out after Farrell kicked a penalty to the corner, although the fly-half’s conversion attempt bounced off the post.

Exeter responded with patient build-up play on the Saracens line before Olly Woodburn dotted down in the corner.

Harvey Skinner’s conversion miss kept the scores level but Saracens again moved ahead as Ivan van Zyl scored under the posts, finishing off an Andy Christie break.

Chiefs looked like they would again respond quickly, but Skinner missed from 25 metres out straight in front to keep the score at 12-5.

Josh Hodge took over the Exeter kicking duties and it was his kick to touch that preceded his side’s second try, the resulting quick lineout finding Greg Visilau at the front to crash over.

Hodge’s conversion went in off the post to again level the score, with he and Farrell trading penalties to finish off the half.

There was a blistering start to the second period as Saracens went back in front with barely a minute on the clock.

Stu Townsend spilled a kick inside his half, and after a Saracens kick ahead saw Hodge mis-kick close to his line, Juan Martin Gonzalez profited to dot down.

However, the response from Exeter, and Hodge’s atonement, was emphatic. Having picked up the ball on his try line, Hodge snaked his way into the Saracens’ half and clean hands eventually saw Tuima finish off the incredible end-to-end try.

Both tries were converted, with the scores level once again, before a Farrell-inspired Saracens moved clear.

England’s all-time leading points scorer kicked a penalty and slotted a 40-metre drop goal before Hadfield grabbed his second try with 15 minutes left as the lead stretched to 13.

Exeter continued to fight knowing a converted try would get them two bonus points at a minimum, but it was Saracens who scored another as Ben Hammersley spilled the ball in the in-goal area allowing McFarland to dot down his side’s fifth.

Saracens v Exeter Chiefs

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Rotimi Segun, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Olly Hartley, 11 Alex Lewington, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Andy Christie, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5 Hugh Tizard, 4 Theo McFarland, 3 Christian Judge, 2 James Hadfield, 1 Logovi’i Mulipola
Replacements: 16 Sam Crean, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Ollie Stonham, 20 Toby Knight, 21 Gareth Simpson, 22 Lucio Cinti, 23 Tom Parton

Exeter: 15 Josh Hodge, 14 Ben Hammersley, 13 Zack Wimbush, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stu Townsend, 8 Greg Fisilau, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Lewis Pearson, 5 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 4 Rusi Tuima, 3 Marcus Street, 2 Jack Yeandle, 1 Alec Hepburn
Replacements: 16 Dan Frost, 17 Danny Southworth, 18 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19 Jack Dunne, 20 Ross Vintcent, 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Charlie McCaig, 23 Arthur Relton

Venue: StoneX Stadium
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Referee: Karl Dickson
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley, Gareth Holsgrove
TMO: Rowan Kitt

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