The match went to extra time!
The second trip to the capital in a month for Exeter Chiefs, this time for the Premiership Cup final against London Irish. Th equivalent of this cup was last in Devon five years ago, and now the first silverware.
The Chiefs had the edge in the first 10 minutes, with the biggest chances but were constantly thwarted.
London Irish drew first blood after their maul ended with them touching down courtesy of hooker Ignacio Ruiz, running through the scattered bodies of Chiefs’ players.
It took a while for Exeter to level, but skipper Jack Innard responded with a try, diving over near the posts.
Not long after Exeter equalised, prop Danny Southworth was sent to the sin bin following a high collision shortly before the break.
London Irish took advantage, with a second try and a penalty bringing the half-time score to Irish 17, Chiefs 10.
Irish extended their lead early in the second half after Exeter conceded a deliberate knock-on, gifting the home side three points.
Exeter’s front row was poor for much of the second half, with too many errors creeping. They gave away a scrum penalty but critically managed to intercept an Irish line-out.
Only three points were scored in the first 30 minutes of the second half, by virtues of a penalty.
But their domination in the second period fell short as a yellow card brought them down to 14 men, mirroring the first half’s error by the Chiefs.
With the extra player Exeter took advantage with Josh Iosefa- Scott brining scores level, again, to 17-all at half time.
In the first part of extra time, Exeter couldn’t maintain their defensive integrity and London Irish regained the lead again.
But a Chiefs tap and go enabled them to touch down. Déjà vu from last year’s final at this exact stadium! The Chiefs had ten minutes to hold on to win this cup.
Exeter defended well and held up London Irish’ attacks.
The cup was the Chiefs to lose with five minutes left on the clock. It was squeaky bum time for the last five mniutes, but they managed to hold on.
And now they hold the Premiership Cup. Something to celebrate in a topsy turvy season.
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