Leicester Tigers book play-off spot with victory over Exeter

Chris Ashton scored two tries as Leicester became the first side to confirm their place in the play-offs with a 22-17 win at Exeter.

The 34-year-old’s two scores meant he drew level with Tom Varndell at the top of the all-time Premiership try scoring chart.

Tigers knew that a victory would secure a position in the top four, whereas Exeter knew a win would help to keep the pressure off in their hunt to stay in there.

However, Chiefs got off a poor start and didn’t score until after half time, with Ashton and Freddie Steward crossing the whitewash to give Leicester a 12-0 half time lead.

Ashton got his first try after consistent pressure in Exeter’s 22 allowed George Ford to find the veteran winger expertly with a crossfield kick and Ashton dotted down.

For most of the half Exeter could not escape their half due to several infringements at the breakdown, and paid a heavy price when Jacques Vermeulen was sinbinned for a deliberate knock-on.

Leicester took full advantage of their man advantage, with Steward being the beneficiary of a ball through from Ben Youngs, which took a wicked bounce away from Olly Woodburn, to score Tigers’ second.

During the play leading up to the try, fly-half George Ford had to be replaced by February player of the month, Freddie Burns, after a challenge by Sam Maunder.

Leicester finally had to deal with some sustained pressure towards the end of the first half with Exeter beginning to claim some momentum after the league leaders were marched back ten metres for back chatting offences.

After continuous phase play on Leicester’s line, Exeter looked to have gotten over the line, however referee Luke Pearce deemed the ball to be held up giving Leicester a comfortable half time lead.

Rob Baxter would have hoped his men would come out firing in the second half, however Leicester had other ideas and when Ashton picked up a loose ball, he accelerated away from Josh Hodge to claim his 92^nd Premiership try.

Exeter needed a spark and they got one when Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo was carded for a deliberate knock on with men outside of him.

Exeter opted for the corner and thought they had scored when Jonny Gray powered over however it was given as held up once more.

But with penalty advantage, Chiefs went for the corner again and after a couple of phases Dave Ewers bundled over to breathe life into Exeter.

Shortly after though, Exeter gave away a penalty in front of the posts which Burns slotted to give Leicester a 15 point and three score lead.

Exeter hit back once more, through replacement prop Patrick Schickerling, to give themselves a chance of at least collecting a point from the game.

They collected that point when Joe Simmonds kicked a penalty, after Leicester had once more been marched back 10 metres following Dan Kelly’s ill-discipline.

Tigers ensured it was only the single point by forcing Henry Slade over his own try line with the clock in the red.

The result means Leicester, who will now focus on gaining a home semi-final, hold a 23 point lead over fifth placed Exeter, with Gloucester expected to move above the Devon club when they are allocated points for Worcester’s cancellation of their fixture on Friday night.

The result also takes the top four battle out of Exeter’s hands and allows them to be dragged into the dogfight in mid-table heading into the last five rounds of this intriguing Premiership season.

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