Quins have no answer to Chiefs’ power game
EXETER finished their regular season by dabbing the accelerator when necessary as they look to their semi-final play-off against Newcastle.
Quins, although outclassed, at least reassured their fans that their spirit remains despite a disappointing tenth place finish in the Premiership.
Chiefs’ bonus point wins sees them top last season’s total of 84 by one but for Quins defeat was a stark reminder of the tough road ahead. In 2018, despite their galaxy of stars, they have achieved just one Premiership win and that, in a nutshell, is why John Kingston, despite being a popular and respected figure at the club, is bidding farewell after 17 years.
Harlequins made a furious, high octane start that will have both delighted and infuriated their supporters.
Where has that intensity been all season?
It was good to watch and finished with Marcus Smith stepping his way through for a thrilling try which the youngster converted himself.
Eighty minutes of rugby like that every week and they would have won the Premiership at a canter.
Harlequins’ workrate didn’t noticeably drop off but this was Exeter they were playing – probably the best and most consistent team in the land – and their reply was pretty much instantaneous and devastating with four quick fire tries and a bonus point before half-time.
As ever it was the combination of irresistible forward power, patience and then a sharp cutting edge when required that proved so difficult to stop.
Dave Ewers – and what price a call up for England’s South Africa tour party on Thursday? – barged his way over for the Chiefs’ first try and big Dave Dennis then muscled his way over for a brace.
With their dander up Exeter then really put their foot down and delightful interplay from Argentina’s Santiago Cordero, Nic White, Olly Woodburn and Ewers sent Joe Simmonds screeching through a gaping hole for a superb score.
Simmonds, who has somehow been left off the shortlist for Breakthrough Players of the Year, had already shown serious gas with a fine break in midfield moments earlier that had threatened a try.
Quins were up against it but were deteremined to contest the issue and on the stroke of half-time were rewarded with a Mike Brown try after a strong run and off-load by Mat Luamanu.
The home side continued their resistance throughout the third quarter and it was good to hear the home crowd getting behind them but the harsh truth is that Quins aren’t currently good enough to compete with the Chiefs who, after emptying the bench, pressed the reset button and went again.
Gareth Steenson started it with a penalty and two tries followed in quick succession for bench men Tom Hendrickson and Alex Hepburn as Chiefs cracked on.
It was a slightly cruel scoreline but Exeter can score very quickly and efficiently when they are in the groove, which seems pretty much constantly these days.
CLOSE-UP
MARCUS SMITH Quins fly-half V JOE SIMMONDS Chiefs fly-half
Two of England’s young guns – but will either get the call for the South Africa tour? Both scored startling first half tries but it was Simmonds’ all-round game which really took the eye until he was replaced early in the second half. Smith went the full distance and can reflect on a fine season but on this occasion Simmonds was the stand out.
