Saracens edge Exeter 14-11 to stay top of the Aviva Premiership
Last Updated: 07/02/16 3:36pm
Saracens edged out the Exeter Chiefs 14-11 in terrible conditions at Sandy Park to retain top spot in the Premiership.
Though the game was won by a Charlie Hodgson penalty in the 75th minute, it was not a day for the kickers as the wind bellowed through Sandy Park throughout the encounter, turning shots at goal into a lottery.
Samu Vunisa scored a try for Saracens in the first half while Hodgson was able to to hit three penalties in a victory that keeps Saracens in first place in the league and puts five points between them and second-place Exeter.
Steenson opened the scoring for Exeter when Vunisa was penalised in the third minute, and with the wind at his back the fly-half slotted the penalty.
Saracens appeared likely to respond to the score with a try as they peppered the Chiefs line with a series of threatening attacks, but instead James Short intercepted the ball to run the length of the field and put Chiefs 8-0 up after the failed conversion with just 12 minutes on the clock.
Steenson increased the Chiefs lead by another three points from the tee as Exeter took control of the game, and it appeared as though Saracens would end the first half scoreless, but the visitors had a good attacking opportunity with a lineout deep in opposition territory with three minutes until the break.
The trademark Saracens driving maul was set up and the forwards marched towards the Exeter line before Vunisa finally dotted down on the back of it. After lengthy deliberation from the TMO the try was awarded, and following another wayward kick attempt the score stood at 11-5 to Exeter when the referee blew his whistle for half-time.
The wind behind their backs and the boot of Hodgson on their side, Saracens began to edge their way back into the game through penalties in the 52nd and 66th minutes, leaving the scores locked as the game drew to a tense close.
Exeter were awarded a penalty in the 69th minute in what would normally be a regulation kick for Steenson, but the wind made it a risky attempt, forcing the Chiefs to kick for the corner from which they failed to score.
When the home side were penalised for being offside inside their own half, Hodgson called for the kicking tee and converted the long-range effort to hand his side the lead for the first time as Saracens closed the game out for a valuable win away from home.
