Exeter comfortably beat Harlequins in Premiership

Exeter Chiefs earned their first home victory in the Aviva Premiership since March when they beat Harlequins 36-13 at Sandy Park on Sunday.

Power at the set-piece, allied to aggressive play at the breakdown proved to
be enough for Exeter against the former champions.

Thomas Waldrom’s try and the accurate boots of Henry Slade and Gareth Steenson
helped the Chiefs into a 19-6 lead at the break.

Although Aseli Tikoirotuma responded for the visitors in the second period,
the hosts dominated the rest of the half and Jack Yeandle and Slade touched
down to give them the victory.

Quins were first on the board with a penalty from Ben Botica but, with the
home side looking solid at the set piece, Slade levelled matters with a penalty.

Steenson then gave his side the lead with a three-pointer after Quins had been
penalised for holding on.

A charged down kick and a chip ahead from Waldron brought a try for the Exeter
number eight, which Steenson duly converted.

Botica hit the upright with a penalty attempt but made no mistake minutes later
for 13-6.

With Quins having problems with a rampaging Exeter pack at the break down a
penalty apiece from Slade and Steenson closed the half with Exeter ahead 19-6.

Harlequins began the second period brightly and, after a scrum penalty sucked
in enough defenders, wing Tikoirotuma had acres of space to coast over. Botica
converted for 19-13, but a penalty from Steenson left Quins again needing two
scores.

Exeter got over again but, with Jack Nowell yellow-carded for taking Mike Brown
out in the air, the try was disallowed and Exeter were down to 14.

Despite the lack of numbers a great cross kick taken on the full and a pass
inside brought a try for Yeandle, Steenson having no problem with the conversion.

With Quins now beginning to drop off tackles Slade went over for the third,
Steenson slotting the conversion.

Final Score Exeter Chiefs (19) 36 Harlequins 13 (6)

Scorers

Exeter Chiefs
Tries: Waldrom, Yeandle, Slade
Cons: Steenson 3
Pens: Steenson 3, Slade 2

Harlequins
Tries: Tikoirotuma
Cons: Botica
Pens: Botica 2

Match Officials
Referee: Andrew Small (108th Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Ashley Rowden and Roger Baileff.
TMO: Geoff Warren.

Teams

Exeter Chiefs

15 Phil Dollman , 14 Jack Nowell , 13 Henry Slade , 12 Sam Hill , 11 Matt Jess , 10 Gareth Steenson , 9 Will Chudley, 8 Thomas Waldrom , 7 Ben White , 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Damian Welch , 4 Mitch Lees , 3 Tomas Francis , 2 Jack Yeandle (capt), 1 Ben Moon

Replacements :16 Elvis Taione , 17 Carl Rimmer , 18 Moray Low , 19 Don Armand , 20 Kai Horstmann , 21 Pat Phibbs , 22 Ian Whitten , 23 Tom James

Harlequins

15. Mike Brown , 14. Marland Yarde , 13. Harry Sloan , 12. Jordan Turner-Hall , 11. Aseli Tikoirotuma , 10. Ben Botica , 9. Danny Care, 8. Nick Easter, 7. Chris Robshaw , 6. Luke Wallace , 5. George Robson , 4. Charlie Matthews , 3. Kyle Sinckler , 2. Dave Ward, 1. Joe Marler (C)

Replacements : 16. Joe Gray , 17. Mark Lambert , 18. Will Collier , 19. Sam Twomey , 20. Joe Trayfoot , 21. Karl Dickson , 22. Louis Grimoldby , 23. Ollie Lindsay-Hague