Gallagher Premier Weekend – Saturday: Saracens 27-23 Bristol Bears, London Irish 22-42 Northampton Saints, Tub 24-24 Sale Sharks, Wasps 27-24 Newcastle Falcons; Sunday: Exeter Chiefs 17-22 Leicester Tigers; Gloucester vs Worcester Warriors match canceled
Final replace: 03/27/22 5:40 PM
Chris Ashton’s two makes an attempt for Leicester’s match in opposition to Exeter on Sunday tied Tom Farndale’s report of 92 makes an attempt.
Chris Ashton turned the joint prime scorer in Premier League historical past as Leicester secured their place within the playoffs – however the 22-17 win at Exeter might have come at a excessive price.
George Ford left after the half-hour mark after sustaining an damage when he was saved by Sam Mander and the Runaway League leaders hope the ringmaster does not endure any main injury.
Away from his stints exterior England, Ford was on the middle of Leicester’s spectacular marketing campaign and was influential whereas at Sandy Park, together with executing the exact kick that supplied Ashton along with his first try.
Ashton ran for second after the primary half with the 2 scores to equal Tom Farndale’s long-running report of 92 touchdowns because the twilight of his profession continues his sudden revival.
Leicester needed to maintain out for a revolt within the last quarter of the match as Exeter hit again from 19-0 down, scoring brief runs by means of Dave Ewers and Patrick Schckerling to place collectively a nerve-wracking finale to Devon’s title match.
However not for the primary time this season, the Tigers performed a wise sport of rugby on the conclusion of the levels to attain their seventeenth victory in 20 matches that ensures them to achieve the semi-finals of the Premier League.
It took simply six minutes for Ford to reward Leicester’s early dominance as he supplied a house protection that was tempered by repetitive strikes an acre of house on the appropriate.
Upon discovering the vulnerability, Ford raised a kick to the touchline for Ashton to gather and rating.
George Ford got here out limping simply half-hour into the race
Exeter was hampered by the growing variety of penalty kicks and the massive variety of fouls dedicated at essential moments, which restricted their potential to place any sustained stress.
The fouls worsened as Jack Vermeulen was despatched to Penn’s sin for a premeditated blow as Leicester maintained their grip, albeit with the assistance of prepared opponents.
The inevitable second try carried England’s stamp throughout as Ford overpowered the protection, forcing Exeter to scramble onerous, earlier than Ben Youngs adopted the identical tactic to present Freddy Steward an opportunity to land simply with the assistance of a delicate bounce.
Freddy Steward was additionally on the Tigers’ scorer checklist after they gained at Sandy Park
Nonetheless, Ford’s period of placing a excessive value on the 12-0 lead that opened was over.
The damaging Ashton supplied Jack Ennard the Exeter platform to assault simply earlier than the break, however to sum up the afternoon to date, they have been held over the road.
Their place deteriorated additional 5 minutes into the second half when a free move from Ian Witten was handed by Ashton and the previous rugby league star had the fuel to win the foot race.
Now it was Nemane Nadulu’s flip to obtain a yellow card for an intentional knockout, and his departure led to Exeter’s best spell as a string of journeys ended as Ewers ended.
Leicester’s place was boosted by a Freddy Burns penalty and whereas the Chiefs appeared to have responded by means of Johnny Grey, the try was known as off for grounding causes.
However the tide was clearly turning the other way up, and led substitute Schekerling’s facet to chop the distinction to eight factors.
Joe Symonds was awarded a penalty however Exeter’s final makes an attempt to grab victory have been thwarted, though the dropping bonus level supplied some payoff.
