Chiefs end season with Sharks’ scare

The curtain has come down on a gloomy season for Exeter Chiefs, but they signed off with a performance that will provide a semblance of summer hope.

Welcoming play-off chasing Sale Sharks to Sandy Park, the Chiefs already knew they would finish the Gallagher Premiership season in ninth, only perennial strugglers Newcastle Falcons below them in the table.

In stark contrast, Sale needed a win to guarantee a place in the end-of-season play-offs, and Exeter revelled in the role of potential party-poopers.

After conceding an early penalty, notched by the experienced George Ford, the Chiefs found some rhythm in their attacking work and Paul Brown-Bampoe touched down midway through the first period, finishing off a fine passing move from the home side.

Another Ford penalty restored the Sale advantage and slick work from the Sharks created room for Rekeiti Ma'asi-White to score under the posts. Bevan Rodd was next to cross the whitewash for Sale, who held a commanding 20-5 lead at the break.

Despite being well down in the game and losing Ethan Roots to the sin bin, Exeter started the second period with renewed intensity and deservedly reduced the arrears with a try from Josh Hodge.

Ford continued with his customary assurance from the penalty kicks but a brilliant Exeter move involving Hodge and Henry Slade allowed Will Haydon-Wood to finish a fabulous team try.

The Sharks were suddenly sweating and needed a score from former Chief Luke Cowan-Dickie to provide late breathing space. Richard Capstick did notch a final Exeter try to reduce the final score to 26-30 but Sale had just done enough to book a semi-final trip to Leicester Tigers.

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter told BBC Sport: "At the end of the day I'm disappointed.

"I think we were really good for about 20 minutes, three points and really sticking in the fight, and then we were real soft for 20 minutes.

"We concede those points and we showed just enough fight not to concede just before half-time, which was crucial because that slowed me to go after the lads a little bit at half-time.

"We said we were going to stand up and fight and that means you stand up and fight and I got it off my chest at half-time.

"I think we did that fully in the second half, the frustration in the second half is we just almost refused to lock down for periods a pretty simple game plan."