Open-side flanker Will Evans scored a brace of tries as Harlequins document an emphatic 36-19 win at Exeter Chiefs within the Gallagher Premiership.
Chiefs got here into the match looking for a primary win of the Premiership season and confronted a Quins aspect with out their England stars.
Nonetheless, the likes of Marcus Smith, Fin Baxter and Joe Marler had greater than appropriate replacements.
With each side needing a win to spice up their Premiership hopes, Oscar Beard’s opener for Quins was shortly cancelled out by Ross Vintcent in reply.
Nonetheless, Argentine winger Rodrigo Isgro, who’s making a big effect at Harlequins, put his aspect again forward earlier than Evans scored a 3rd attempt with simply 24 minutes performed.
Regardless of Will Rigg pulling the Chiefs again inside seven factors on the break, Evans was available to place the guests out of sight with a bonus-point rating early within the second half.
Hopes of a late Chiefs cost have been boosted by a Ben Hammersley attempt, however it was Quins who have been triumphant with Cadan Murley sealing the win with a fifth attempt for the guests late on.
Quins head into the worldwide break in fifth, whereas Chiefs have now misplaced six consecutive matches and have 5 factors to their identify from six outings.
Speaking Level – Henry Slade boosts England possibilities
Exeter outdoors centre Henry Slade made his first look of the season for Chiefs in a seek for match health.
Slade was a key half in a battling show by the hosts who ended the primary half simply 5 factors behind their guests.
The 31-year-old was the one member of the England squad launched by England coach Steve Borthwick to play within the Gallagher Premiership this weekend.
Slade, who had shoulder surgical procedure in the summertime, was changed after 54 minutes and regarded in tremendous form. Borthwick will now resolve if the Exeter man is match sufficient to face the All Blacks subsequent weekend, dwell on TNT Sports activities.
Participant of the match – Will Evans (Harlequins)
The open-side flanker was a key cog in a Harlequins aspect who overcame a troublesome take a look at to see off a decided Exeter.
Evans broke by means of early on and regardless of not passing to his open team-mate and being held up, Beard saved his blushes to attain the opening attempt a part later.
Nonetheless, the error didn’t deter him and Evans ran by means of his first attempt on 24 minutes.
With the match nonetheless within the stability a second attempt for Evans put his aspect right into a commanding place to expire victors.
Participant Rankings
Exeter Chiefs: Sio 6, Frost 7, Painter 7, Molina 6, Capstick 6, Vincent 7, Vermeulen 6, Fisilau 7, Becconsall 6, Haydon-Wooden 7, Brown-Bampoe 8, Rigg 7, Slade 7, Woodburn 7, Hodge 7. Replacements: Yeandle 6, Goodrick-Clarke 6, Avenue 6, Tuima 6, Roots 6, Townsend 6, Skinner 6, Hammersley 7.
Harlequins: Els 7, Walker 7, Lamositele 7, Herbst 7, Lewies 7, Kenningham 7, W Evans 8, Chisholm 7, Porter 7, J Evans 8, Murley 8, Anyanwu 8, Beard 8, Isgro 8, Inexperienced 8. Replacements: Jibulu 6, Jones 6, Kerrod 6, Launchbury 6, Lawday 6, Care 7, David 6
Match Highlights
15 – TRY! EXETER CHIEFS 0-5 HARLEQUINS (BEARD): Evans broke by means of the road and as an alternative of passing for Porter he goes for the whitewash and is held up.
Thankfully for the Quins man the ball comes again out for Beard to cross. Nonetheless, the conversion is vast.
18 – TRY! EXETER CHIEFS (VINCENT) 7-5 HARLEQUINS: Slade and Woodburn mix earlier than the latter releases Vincent to cost throughout the try-line.
Slade then sends over a assured conversion to place his aspect forward
21- TRY! EXETER CHIEFS 7-12 HARLEQUINS (ISGRO): Morley feeds winger Isgro who burst previous his marker after which expenses straight by means of the ultimate defender. This time the attempt is transformed by Evans
25 –TRY! EXETER CHIEFS 7-19 HARLEQUINS (W EVANS): After lacking the early alternative Will Evans this time can’t be stopped as Kenningham supplies the help to ship his team-mate by means of below the posts.
Jarrod Evans converts to place his aspect into a transparent lead.
35 –TRY! EXETER CHIEFS (RIGG) 12-19 HARLEQUINS: Nice play by the hosts as Hodge finds Rigg alongside the road. Quins are responsible of over committing to defending the wing and Rigg cuts inside to dot down.
A second conversion of the day for Slade.
53 –TRY! EXETER CHIEFS 14-26 HARLEQUINS (W EVANS): A powerful drive because the ball comes off Chrisholm’s leg earlier than he collects the ball and feeds the ball to Will Evans to cross below strain for his second attempt of the day.
Jarrod Evans slots over a tough conversion to extend their rating.
56 –TRY! EXETER CHIEFS (HAMMERSLEY) 19-26 HARLEQUINS: Substitute Hammersley capitalises on a Hodge cross because the Chiefs pile ahead in search of a response.
TMO appears to be like on the attempt however decides Hodge’s cross isn’t ‘clearly ahead’ and it’s awarded. Hodge has a tough conversion which he hooks vast
78 – TRY! EXETER CHIEFS 19-36 HARLEQUINS: Out the again of a scrum Care is launched out vast, he runs out of pace however kicks by means of to team-mate Murley to cross
Jarrod Evans converts so as to add the extras
Key Stats
- Harlequins’ win was their first at Sandy Park for 10 years
- Exeter Chiefs have now misplaced six consecutive matches which dates again to final season
