Something had to give in this collision of two teams with, respectively, the best attacking and defensive records in this season’s Prem. On a cold, clear afternoon in north London it was Exeter, the league’s most resilient operators, who prevailed in a see-sawing contest when the outcome remained up for grabs right until the end.
Only in the closing seconds, as Henry Slade picked up a loose ball to sprint away for the bonus point score that elevated Chiefs back to the top of the table – at least for 24 hours – could the visitors celebrate their first win on this ground for eight years. They deserved it, too, battling back from 24-13 down helped by two second-half tries inside six minutes from the industrious Greg Fisilau.
