Chiefs end 2022 Premiership with Harlequins battle at Sandy Park

Live coverage as Exeter Chiefs end their season with a final match-up against third-placed Harlequins.

With the semi-finals next weekend, Harlequins hope to use the game as a springboard out of the traditional season straight into their fight with either Saracens or Leicester next weekend.

Meanwhile, Chiefs end a disappointing season, not reaching the play-offs for the first time in seven years. After being defeated by Quins in their past two match-ups, all they could do was end the year by denying them the chance at making it three.

With the team sheets decided, both sides saw players return from injury, most n0tably Jack Nowell for Chiefs while Quins placed Tyrone Green and Aaron Morris back on the pitch.

Referee Ian Tempest would blow the whistle on the match, with Quins starting the match before Chiefs quickly took the ball from them, winning a penalty two minutes into the game. However, nothing would come from this.

The two sides would go back and forth in the opening ten minutes and, despite another penalty for Chiefs, it would be Quins who scored the first try of the match as Marcus Smith caught a well-played ball before making a strong run to score.

The score would then be upped to seven after a strong conversion for the away side.

With Chiefs just inches from scoring a try, a penalty would be awarded to them. Following this, in his final professional match, Matt Symons was yellow carded.

As the game restarted, what was thought to be a try was deemed no try by the referee who soon gave another penalty to the home side.

The crowd erupted in applause when Jonny Gray scored Chiefs’ first try of the match. However, Exeter could not convert.

Just seconds after the next kick-off, Quins responded as Joe Merchant fired himself down the line to extend their lead. Another conversion from Smith extended their lead.

Just as the game seemed to settle down, Stuart Hogg equalised the game to 12-12 before Joe Simmonds took home Chiefs’ first conversion of the game. Chiefs led 14-12.

As the clock ticked down to the end of the first half, Ian Whitten went down injured. Following this, Chiefs opted to bring on Sean O’Brien to replace him.

Moments later, Aaron Morris would score to re-take the lead for Quins before Smith converted yet again, taking a five-point lead.

This would not last long, with Chiefs soon evening the score. But, with the chance to once again edge ahead, Simmonds would fail to convert, leaving the score at 19-19.

With the clock on zero, Chiefs would be awarded a penalty after fending off a last-gasp Quins attack, kicking the ball off of the pitch and closing off the first 40 minutes.

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