Exeter Chiefs finish top of the Aviva Premiership with victory over Sale

The reigning Premiership champions scored four tries to secure a 34-19 bonus point victory In front of yet another sold out Sandy Park

The win, Exeter’s 16^thin the Premiership this season, has guaranteed a first-place finish in English rugby’s most elite league for the first time in the clubs history. 

Nic White, Lachie Turner, Jack Yeandle and Greg Holmes all scored tries for Exeter, Joe Simmonds and Gareth Steenson (who came off the bench) shared 14 points with the boot. 

Simmonds, who got the nod ahead of Steenson at fly-half, kicked the first points of the game in front of the posts with a penalty after the visitors were penalised for off-side. 

However, against the run of play, the Chiefs were caught out by a clever crossfield kick which resulted in a converted try for the visitors - scored by Bryan Mcgugian, his 11^th of the season, but the champions responded immensely with two tries of individual excellence from Nic White and Lachie Turner. 

White used his quick feet exquisitely to side step in-between two defenders and score under the posts, just 5 minutes later, Turner ran from half-way, turning his man inside out, to touch down in the corner. Both calmly converted by Simmonds. 

Sale reduced the points difference to just three points before half-time, they breached Exeter’s defence once more to score their second try of the encounter. It finished 17-14 after the opening 40 minutes. 

Exeter’s captain Jack Yeandle lead by example in the early stages of the second half. His team-mate Don Armand, who’s been terrific all game for the chiefs, made a sublime inside pass to the skipper, catching the defence off guard, for Exeter’s third try. Simmonds eagle eyed with the boot once more with the conversion. 

A late score for Sale set up a nervy 10 minutes for the home fans. With the assistance of the TMO (television match official), the visitors were awarded a try – conversion missed. The nerves soon turned into joy as Steenson, who replaced Simmonds coming off the bench, kicked a monstrous penalty from just inside the half-way line. Soon after, Greg Holmes powered his way over the line to secure another emphatic victory. 

Full-time: Exeter Chiefs 34 Sale Sharks 19

It’s been announced that the Aviva Premiership semi-final will be played at Sandy Park on May 19^th. But before then, Chiefs travel to London to face Harlequins on May 5^th.

Attendance: 12, 754

Exeter: Turner; Nowell, Slade, Hill, Cordero; Simmonds, White; Hepburn, Yeandle (captain), Francis, Lees, Skinner, Ewers, Armand, Simmonds. 

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Moon, Holmes, Dennis, Waldrom, Townsend, Steenson, O'Flaherty.

Sale: Addison; McGuigan, S James, L James, Yarde; MacGinty, De Klerk; Harrison, Webber, John, Evans, Ostrikov, T Curry, B Curry, Ross (captain).

Replacements: Jones, Tarus, Aulika, Beaumont, Strauss, Cliff, Leota, Odogwu.