365 Sporting Days

These 2 teams faced each other on October 14th when the scoreline made unpleasant viewing for Saracens fans. Exeter scoring 65 to Saracens 10. This was as the World Cup was the n full flow, they meet each other as the England squad have jetted off to Spain. Saracens therefore watched 5 players depart and Chiefs 3. It would be the first time since he was 18 that Owen Farrell would be playing in the shorn team.

Karl Dickson was Sir for the game, a referee who generally communicates really well with the players. Rotimi Segun won the first high ball kicked up by Ivan van Zyl, Saracens the first line out, they then lost the ball as play progressed, the charging Chief dropped the ball however.

The first penalty went the way of Saracens with Farrell kicking to touch. Saracens rolled the maul over the line with James Hadfield in possession of the ball. The conversion hit the posts. Saracens looked in determined mode!

Saracens were penalised from the kick off , as Hodge was tackled too early while in the air. Chiefs chose to send the ball out and playing with a penalty in their pocket, Ollie Woodburn Scored out on the left wing, the conversion went to the left of the posts.

Saracens went quickly after being awarded a free kick at the next scrum, with Billy Vunipola taking the ball. A great pass from Farrell saw the ball land in Andy Christie’s hands, ultimately, he’d already shown his wheels. He put a great pass in to van Zyl who ran in to score under the posts, the conversion was good.

Chiefs were awarded a penalty in front of the posts after Saracens were deemed to have been blocking a tackle, the kick was missed. The Chiefs 8 Fisilau, dropped the ball after Saracens kicked up field. Saracens moved the ball quickly from the scrum again, Farrell putting in a lovely kick just out of reach of Alex Lewington., who knocked it on into touch.

An unusual error from Van Zyl saw him kick straight into touch. Then Saracens were penalised for coming in at the side, giving Chiefs a great attacking position. Chiefs knocked on then a high pass to Segun went forwards. Scrum put in to Chiefs. Chiefs were awarded a penalty in the scrum. Another great attacking platform, the line out throw went low and quickly to Fisilau who scored a simple try, no defence seen or possible, a very clever effort. Although I do wonder how the throw was deemed straight. The kick hit the posts and went over, that was 12 apiece.

Saracens were awarded the put in at the next scrum after Goode was held up from the kick off. They won the ball and went quickly, Chiefs were penalised and Farrell kicked the points.

The same thing seemed to happen from the next kick off but Chiefs were awarded the scrum put in. Chiefs went quickly on the 2nd set of the scrum but were held up over the line. Saracens won the ball from the kick out.

Play was halted for an injury to the chiefs 9, Townsend yet another scrum, this time with a Chiefs put in, they were then held up, so, another scrum! Chiefs were awarded a penalty as play progressed, Hodge took the ball this time and put in a lovely kick straight through the posts. 15 apiece.

Saracens were penalised on the stroke of half time, Saracens won the ball but had too many players in the line out, bit of a schoolboy error that one. Chiefs kicked the ball out for half time.

Early in the 2nd half Juan Martin Gonzalez showed his speed after the ball was kicked into the Chiefs half, the ball was spilled, twice, and Hodge hacked at the ball, Gonzalez pounced on it, Farrell converted from the side line. A decent start to the 2nd half for the home team.

Segun was substituted on 45 minutes, I hope he’s ok!

Chiefs had a good attack but knocked on then gave away a penalty allowing Saracens to clear their lines.

Chiefs scored an excellent try after Hodge ran the ball back from his own line, he was unhindered, having been amazing at Sandy Park Saracens should know well not to let him run. The try was ultimately scored by a Forward, Tuima, Hodge added the extras. And it was 22 apiece.

Chiefs were awarded a scrum penalty in their own half, they took a quick line out but lost the ball as they attacked, Farrell put in a huge kick up field. Chiefs throw

in was wonky. Saracens went for the scrum, we’d had a few!

Saracens won the scrum and were then awarded a penalty. Farrell kicked and added the 3 points.

Chiefs were awarded a penalty from the kick off and kicked to touch. They lost the ball as they attacked and Farrell kicked to touch after a couple of kicks were exchanged.

Farrell kicked a drop goal to the delight of the home crowd, after Billy Vunipola had tried to kick the ball through, it was a great option from Farrell.

James Hadfield scored his 2nd after Saracens had won a penalty in the scrum, Farrell kicked the ball long and after Theo McFarland had shown his speed down the wing Hadfield got the try. Farrell converted, he had his kicking boots on!

Chiefs won the ball from the kick off, Saracens won a penalty.

The next scrum and we’d had a heap of them, saw chiefs held up, so, another scrum! Play progressed and Chiefs knocked on, another scrum. This one was a Saracens put in, Exeter were awarded a penalty.

Chiefs seemed to play the 9, van Zyl but play was allowed to continue they threw the ball into touch. Chiefs were then penalised as the ball was kicked high.

Exeter gave away another penalty on their line, Saracens went again from the line out. They got pushed back before Farrell put in a cross field kick, McFarland scored after the ball was dropped by a Chiefs back. Farrell missed the kick, the final score was Saracens 40 Chiefs 22. What a difference having your play maker makes!

Andy Christie was the deserved Man of the Match.

Some food for thought as the other home nations players head to their national camps. Nick Tompkins came straight back into Saracens from the World Cup having played for Wales in their quarter final on October 14th, he played for Saracens against Bath on October 21st, he’s only missed one game on December 30th. He usually plays the full 80, that, is a lot of rugby, I’d expect him to be picked for Wales, I think I’ll tot up his minutes at the end of the season!