Chiefs end Quins' run
Exeter took another step towards guaranteeing their Premiership survival with a 20-6 victory over Harlequins.
Last Updated: 12/02/11 6:11pm
Exeter took another step towards guaranteeing their Premiership survival with a 20-6 victory over Harlequins in front of 8,733 at Sandy Park.
Gareth Steenson kicked 15 points as the Chiefs ended Quins' run of nine consecutive wins and denied the Londoners the opportunity to move up to second in the table.
The visitors mounted an early attack from deep inside their own half with the ball going through several phases of play to take them to within five metres of the Chiefs' line.
But Exeter defended well and hit back with Steenson held up over the line. Harlequins were penalised at the resultant scrum and Steenson slotted the penalty.
Harlequins had an opportunity to level the score moments later but fly-half Nick Evans, kicking into the strong wind, saw his 25-metre penalty sail past the far upright.
Midway through the first half Steenson added a second penalty, but when Quins were back in the opposition half the Chiefs strayed offside and Evans got the visitors on the scoreboard with a 30-metre kick.
Steenson stretched the Chiefs' lead with two more penalties from in front of the posts before the visitors turned down a simple penalty as they took a quick tap penalty when five metres from the line.
Exeter defended strongly with scrum-half Haydn Thomas smothering his opposite number from a scrum. Quins managed to get the ball wide and were awarded a penalty, but Evans missed the target, leaving the Chiefs 12-3 ahead at the break.
Johnson try
The home side started the second on the front foot and took the ball through the phases before spreading it wide, with centre Jason Shoemark giving the final pass to Tom Johnson, who had to shrug off a tackle to score in the corner.
Steenson's conversion attempt from the left touchline was wide of the mark before his side appeared to lose focus and Evans reduced the arrears with his second penalty.
But that proved the wake-up call Exeter needed and Johnson was stopped just short of the line going for his second try. He was injured in the process and had to be replaced after Quins cleared their line.
Steenson kicked a fifth penalty as the Chiefs kept a grip on the game and although Quins did finally cross the Exeter line, wing Ugo Monye's final pass was judged to be forward.
Exeter were forced to defend solidly but held on without too many alarms to confirm their status in mid-table comfort.
