Exeter win Premiership final thriller
Exeter were crowned English club champions for the first time in their history as they beat Wasps 23-20 after extra time in a tense, thrilling Premiership final at Twickenham on Saturday. Exeter fly-half Gareth Steenson’s penalty 30 seconds from normal time levelled the game and meant both sets of players had to endure another ten minutes each way in the warm London sun. And fly-half Steenson settled the matter with the only points in extra time just two minutes from the end to break Wasps' hearts. "I was nervous taking both those penalties at the end of normal time and then extra-time," said Steenson. "But at the end we have the trophy and now it's time to celebrate." Southwest club Exeter made it second time lucky as they shrugged off the disappointment of last year’s Twickenham defeat by Saracens -- the team they beat in this season's semi-finals -- to deny Wasps. "I feel for Wasps but I felt for us as well last year when Sarries beat us," said Exeter coach Rob Baxter. This was the first time in their 146-year existence that Exeter had been able to say they were the best team in England, with the club only having been promoted to the top flight seven years ago. - 'Greatest day' - "This is the happiest and greatest day in the club's history," said Tony Rowe, the Exeter chairman. "It's seven years since we started this dream to get into the top flight and then get where we are now. The lads were incredible today. "I was so nervous and worried throughout but they got the job done eventually," he added. It may not have been the points-fest so many had predicted but that was not due to a lack of effort and endeavour as Exeter led 14-10 at the break. Wasps had no answer when the Chiefs worked a line-out superbly as Thomas Waldrom fed Luke Cowan-Dickie and the hooker’s sublime pass inside to Jack Nowell put the England wing through for a try converted by Steenson. Wasps retaliated with their own pressure on the Chiefs line but the Devon team’s defence stood firm until they gave away a penalty, which Jimmy Gopperth kicked to cut their lead. Wasps’ England No8 Nathan Hughes was taken off for a head injury assessment but soon returned to the back of the scrum. Prop Phil Swainston also sustained a blow to the face and was led off the field but he failed his HIA and was replaced. Moments later a searing Chiefs attack saw Ollie Devoto produce a short pass to the supporting Phil Dollman, the fullback forcing his way over with Steenson converting. But there was still a late twist to the first half as Wasps finally pierced Exeter's defensive line. Danny Cipriani made the original break, fed to hooker Tommy Taylor who combined with Dan Robson to send Gopperth darting through and over for a try he converted himself to leave Wasps just 14-10 down at half-time Wasps poked their noses in front for the first time three minutes into the second half as Hughes showed all his mighty strength and power to shrug off a posse of Chiefs rivals and spark a surge down field. Christian Wade’s chip through bounced perfectly for Elliot Daly who grabbed the ball and touched down. Gopperth converted and the game had changed complexion completely. Steenson responded to reduce Wasps advantage to three points with just over 15 minutes remaining. Exeter took a risk by rejecting an easy three points in front of the Wasps posts and opting for a scrum instead. Tension then took over as Exeter struggled to gain control and possession of the ball just inches from Wasps' line. That risk failed to pay off but there was one last chance for Steenson to kick the game into extra time in front of a crowd of more than 79,000. An equally nervous 20 minutes of extra time saw Exeter replacement hooker Jack Yeandle go close but fail to claim a try. But it was left to Steenson to kick the decisive penalty when Wasps collapsed a scrum, sparking joyous celebrations among the Exeter team and their loyal fans.
