GP Final - The Minute by Minute

[Digby]

Minute 1

Smith kicks off and the ball stays on the pitch, not always a given so it's an okay start. A smidge too long and Hill is able to claim, Exeter make an exit kick being allowed to play far too slowly already. A good catch from Green under pressure from Cuthbert, and then Quins are able to protect the ball, a little bit because the arriving Exeter players get a little overly focussed on the ball trying to claim it back, and the good work from Chisholm and Lewies to drive strongly back across the ball. Care passes out to Marler who's easily wrapped up in a tackle behind the gain line and Exeter are doing what they pushing forwards in defence. Ball out again to Smith and he makes a nice carry to the line spotting some space between Hill and Williams, though you would have to ask after just over 30 seconds wtf is there that much space between Hill and Williams, incompetence or wilful stupidity?

Hill having already pushed up too far creating the gap now falls over a player trying to get back onside, and he's still not back in the line a phase later having to wait for Quins to play in case Care just passes into him. He's lucky he didn't drop the kick off to post 3 inept pieces of play right out the blocks.

Ball back to Smith who ignores the hard runner outside him, as he so often does allowing them to play wider, and it's nice move because a defence can never reasonably ignore the hard line runner, and Quins are disciplined in ensuring someone fills the roll well (Kenningham in particular does it very well). Quins get the ball to the outside and find a little space but with Maunder putting some pressure on Marchant a forward pass is forced.


Minute 2


Paying spectators are back, and are treated to Joe Marler conceding a free kick at the scrum, there is literally no play having reached as far as the 2nd minute, and that with a stoppage to the clock to allow from some injury assessment and drinks. Utterly sodding pathetic.


Minute 3


Simmonds puts up a high kick over halfway, Green takes under little pressure because whilst Cuthbert initially ran hard enough he's run right at the Exeter players and has to weave wide to try and get to Green, which he doesn't manage, and tbh you'd want to start that run from wider out to have a chance at not being so easily blocked out. Quins run a recovery phase with Marler sticking his elbow out but it's not pinged, Care makes an exit kick with little to no blocking, Cuthbert makes the catch and Kenningham hops the entry gate from the wrong side but is so quickly cleared out it's immaterial enough, following which Chisholm anchors a foot next to Maunder trying to play, the ref tells him not to play and he doesn't, essentially 6 and 7 have both slightly slowed the play and not been pinged for it, happy times for the flankers

Exeter move left finding space, but they've nothing to hold the Quins defence, and Simmonds under pressure from Care can't pass accurately off his right anyway and just wangs the ball into touch.


Minute 4

Kenningham takes the ball at the front, a one man lift by Louw, some instability resulting from the one man lift but it's still an accurate ball down from Kenningham. Ball to Smith at 10 who again ignores the hard running decoy, Chisholm this time, and pulls it back to Esterhuizen who carries well into contact. Ball is reset and as is often the case Exeter show little understanding of the offside line, I guess some of the defence is stood behind a back foot, just not the relevant back foot, Joe Simmonds in particular look to be pushing things. Quins come wide again and Green can step inside Cuthbert but can't evade Slade too, ball reset and Quins head right, Exeter offside again, Hill this time, and Care kicks the ball into an Exeter player to take the pen


Minute 5

Brave decision to kick to touch rather than take the points, and then a little bit lucky Smith doesn't push that too far, they get a 5m attacking lineout but he very nearly boots the ball dead.

Ball won at the front, a decent contest from Exeter but it's a fast high throw and the Quins lineout does well. And then with Exeter having attacked the lineout they're not able to respond to Quins quickening rolling the maul around the front. Plenty of Exeter players pile in from everywhere, and Hill who's racking a lot of mistakes in the opening few minutes gets pinged for his lack of discipline, coughing up a pen try and earning himself a yellow.


Minute 6

Nothing happens.


Minute 7

Exter restart into the Quins 22, safely taken by Marchant. Care gets something of a caterpillar in place to make an exit box kick, and then just hooves it into the Exeter half, presumably they just want ball in play because he can't be that bad at putting the ball into touch. Nowell carries back over halfway and gets smacked down by Baldwin, risky carrying technique from Nowell but he presents the ball back. Exeter try to play left but it's very easy for Esterhuizen to come up on LCD, granted they're a man down. Exeter then run a series of one out plays.


Minute 8

After a number of one out plays go nowhere Maunder gets the caterpillar in place and box kicks ahead. Green can't take under pressure and the knocked on ball is there for Hepburn who gets it away to LCD and Exeter set a ruck down the right side of the pitch, Healy states Green was played in the air but it just looked like a contest for the ball even if there was contact. Quins really stopped working, merely dribbling back resources down their left, not especially useful when Exeter move the ball left and despite being a man down have 6 on 4 on the openside. Next up Simmonds drives through a tackle from Smith but can't get the ball away, and now Quins have recovered some shape, which is bit fortunate given a number of their players seemed to just assume they could take a break getting back from Green not collecting the kick.

Exeter come back right and Kirsten takes it into contact, and it's not reminiscent of Ewers doing the same. Quins with their options setting up the wide plays are also able to get Esterhuizen or Dombrandt into carrying roles, and Marler is another option. So far Exeter have achieved not a lot.

But Exeter are slowing the game and just keeping the ball, and that's not unuseful as they wind down the sin bin clock. Boring mind.


Minute 9

Exeter are still playing little more than one out ball but do put some extra pace on proceedings when Nowell eludes Marchant. Coming back right and Cuthbert decides to stretch his legs to take on Murley, and he doesn't beat Murley, he doesn't link with LCD outside and then getting scragged by Murley LCD having stayed outside isn't in a good position to support, allowing Esterhuizen to get over the ball and win a penalty for holding on. Good work from Esterhuizen who had to survive LCD trying to clear him out, O'Flaherty probably isn't doing enough to assist, but if LCD isn't going to shift Esterhuizen it's unlikely O'Flaherty would


Minute 10

A good kick from Smith up over halfway. I suspect Dombrandt then leaves the lineout and then the ball comes in, but whatever, and maybe he doesn't go over the 15m line anyway. Dombrandt takes the ball over the back and carries up into Joe Simmonds. Simmonds doesn't get him down and with Dombrandt angling left to right Simmonds still wants to make a right shoulder tackle, yes a left shoulder would be more of a soak tackle but it'd also mean you're less likely to get you're head/neck into an unfortunate contact. Sam has to join in helping his brother and that does get Dombrandt down, and now Dombrandt has actually driven a little too far, and we get the reverse of a few minutes earlier, LCD gets over the ball and Esterhuizen can't clear him off to protect Quins 1st phase, turnover for LCD. Exeter make a couple passes and get the ball to Nowell, perhaps Marchant should be coming up on him but having just been done by Nowell he's a little passive, and he's getting no help from outside with Lynagh fully turned in ready to defend almost nothing that might happen. The ball does go wide to O'Flaherty and now Lynagh who's running backwards actually has O'Flaherty nearly pinned to the touchline but allows him to step inside which is the only play O'Flaherty could possibly go. Not good stuff from young Lynagh.


Minute 11

O'Flaherty breaks down the left but doesn't feel comfortable having the chance to kick ahead and can't evade the 15, gets an offload away to Devoto who gets strongly pushed back, further good work from Chisholm who worked hard to get back, then get back to his feet and then to drive Devoto back. Quins manage to rip the ball but it's knocked on, scrum black.


Minute 12


Quins muller the Exeter scrum, but Simmonds just gets the ball out takes contact and presents it back. And then from being in control and having a man advantage Quins again just don't work off the ball and Exeter easily outnumber them coming open, worse because when Devoto carries into Smith even with almost no one working around Baldwin (I think it was Baldwin) even tries to get over the ball. Maybe with the man advantage they're keen to be more aggressive on the floor but blimey.

Nowell and O'Flaherty both do well playing to the right and carry Exeter into the Quins 22, and Exeter go back to driving one out plays before trying to spread the ball and it just falling out of the hands of Joe Simmonds, but brother Sam rescues it after Slade picks up the bouncing ball and pops it to him by accelerating past Dombrandt, looks like he'll get outside Lynagh too, but after his issues a a couple of minutes back Lynagh does well and gets just enough on Simmonds to get him into touch.


Minute 13

Quins win the lineout, Care box kicks clear, the ball somehow stays in play forcing O'Flaherty to play it, Sam Simmonds is under big pressure but Baldwin goes high and coughs up a stupidly cheap penalty.


Minute 14

The ball is kicked to touch. You're happy if your Exeter to run down the sin bin but again it's far too lenient.


Minute 15

Gray wins the lineout and LCD comes around to take the ball at the back of the maul and Exeter drive. Nothing really happens but Exeter get a penalty which is maybe a tad harsh against Chisholm, but maybe they were lucky someone else wasn't pinged. Ball kicked to touch again, and it's down the left into the Quins 22

Minute 16

Quins contest the throw with Symons but again Gray claims the ball. Quins get pinged for the lineout play, Exeter play the advantage, Quins go offside and Exeter can't force anything so Exeter get their choice of pens. If Exeter could trust their scrum they might take the other option, but they go for the 5m penalty down the right hand side.


Minute 17

LCD taps and goes, Kenningham goes onto his knees and makes a tackle, but that's never given as on your knees out of the game. Exeter recycle and Quins get pinged for offside

Minute 18

LCD taps and goes again, against good first up effort from Quins, then offside again, and then they can't stop Gray from driving over anyway. Perhaps not the worst outcome for Quins as they would have been edging close to a penalty try and yellow card.

Minute 19

2 points added

Minute 20

Quins put in a decent chase of Smith's kick, a few even starting ahead of the kicker, just, but then don't do much once they've chased up, save yourself the effort of the chase tbh. Exeter box kick clear and Green drops the ball, knock on and scrum black

Minute 21

Exeter give up a free kick on their scrum before the ball comes in, another quality action filled minute.


Minute 22

Restart fails again, Hepburn pinged and Smith kicks to touch. Still more quality action courtesy of the scrum


Minute 23

Some weird play here. Quins throw in to nobody at the lineout, Exeter win unchallenged ball on their opponents throw, Exeter box kick down the right, sort of a great chase from Cuthbert but equally I don't look the Biggar jump from metres away into an opponent, Murley needs to do better though. Instantly Quins win back the ball Cuthbert won with Lewies getting over the ball, okay Lewies was easily off his feet mere feet from the TJ with noting in the way of seeing him resting his hands on the floor, but somehow that's a tricky thing to spot. Ball back to Smith who puts up a high kick to nowhere in particular, runners ahead of the kicker again but unlike the Lewies thing that would be a tricky spot. Minute ends with Nowell in possession looking to see if there's a chance to run/break to the left


Minute 24


Exeter are going anywhere so elect to box kick into the Quins half, as an aside as good as he is carrying into contact it wouldn't hurt LCD if he had more instances of moving the ball away from contact. Exeter take the piss a bit when being told to use it, and then put in a fairly useless box kick even taking their sweet time about it. Green takes the catch and gets tackled by Cuthbert, Cuthbert then gets pinged for not rolling away which is actually a little harsh when pretty much everyone is lying atop him, including Green. The only chance Cuthbert has to get out is not to hold/complete the tackle on Green, but tbh don't put in such shit box kicks and then you don't have a problem to begin with.


Minute 25

Quins kick to touch down the left into the Exeter half, and they're back to winning lineout ball at the front. Ball moved out to Smith who again has Chisholm running a convincing hard line outside him but again pulls the ball back, this time to Esterhuizen and the big Saffer is trusted to use his hands and immediately shovels the ball forwards in the pass, that's ignored for whatever reason and the ball goes right, again Smith has someone on the hard line (Marchant) again he goes wider, to Green, but Green after a decent nudge forwards loses ball forwards in contact with Slade. Quins might not always wrap too well in defence, but the effort they put in for all those legit hard carries one out for Smith is super impressive.


Minute 26


Quins think for a moment about how they've got a dominant scrum so are in the game even after the handling error and then give away an offside penalty to take pressure off Exeter.

Exeter kick to touch and win a contested lineout, they don't drive but bring the ball out, there's no width to the Quins defence but there doesn't need to be as they read the play and come up to nail O'Flaherty and any options he might have.


Minute 27

Under pressure Devoto threads a kick down the left which hugs the touchline and Lynagh can't gather without putting a foot into touch, that was not a nice clearance to have but he'll not need telling it's a fuck up. At least Lynagh remembers to smash the ball away in case Exeter had any chance of going quickly, which they didn't, but at least it's something for Lynagh

Exeter kick to touch down the left, win the lineout through Hill and try to drive. Quins manage to hold the drive but at the cost of a penalty.


Minute 28

Exeter do their driving thing well, whatever the rights/wrongs of it, Quins concede a number of penalties. With an advantage Simmonds sends across a poor cross field kick, back for one of the pens and it's a warning for Quins.

Minute 29

Try as they might, and they try by continuing to concede pens, Quins can't keep out Hepburn and Smith is off for a rest. Harsh on Smith but it was going to be someone. And a quick addition of the 2 points by Exeter


Minute 30

Quins restart long to Slade, Slade kicks down the line to Green, Green kicks up the middle to O'Flaherty and he feeds the ball to Simmonds who sends a low kick along the floor out into touch nearly up to Quins 22. 3 incontestable kicks before Simmonds puts the ball out of play.

Minute 31

Quins win their ball at the front, set a drive and make a few metres before the ball carrier goes to ground. Following which, and I get Quins want to wind down the clock with Smith in the bin, the ref tells Quins to use the ball it's available and 6 seconds passes with nothing happening, then the ref repeat tells them to use it rather than just issue a free kick, then another 5 or 6 seconds passes during which the ref merely notes the ball is available. I don't know what you say to the refs about such as this, they're not even pretending the ball needs to be in play as a live contest, truly pathetic. Anyway, Quins run a recovery phase were Marler takes contact and recycles and Care is getting reading to box kick clear.


Minute 32

It's a decent box kick from Care, Exeter don't block well and O'Flaherty doesn't look keen to contest, but still air play to Lynagh for getting up and claiming the ball. Quins move the ball left and Merely tries to round Cuthbert before throwing a speculative ball infield and forwards which is intercepted, there'll be quite a lot of chat about the Quins defence needing some work, but some of their highly speculative attack play will on other days cost them more points. Here whilst Devoto gather he's scragged by Marchant and then Green arrives to force a pen for holding on. Exeter might ask about the time Quins got to play ball which received several warnings but no action, the seemingly forward fling by Murley and even Green arriving a little through the side gate, but bollocks to them, just catch the box kick and they wouldn't have the same problem as Quins kicking deep into the Exeter 22 with a penalty.


Minute 33

Quins tip their own jumper in the lineout and oddly get a penalty for it. Ball kicked to touch again.


Minute 34

Quins win the lineout and run a number of phases nearly finding a way through, Exeter are conceding pens for offside and not rolling away.


Minute 35

Quins elect to take the pen as a scrum, possibly could've had a pen try, but it being a scrum nothing actually happens during the minute. Another total failure in officiating.


Minute 36

It's a scrum, Exeter drive early, so no ball in, they try to reset but the scrum moves around and the ball never comes in. Over two minutes of no ball in play because the players and ref cannot be bothered to restart the game in front of paying fans. Seemingly this is how the game wants it to be because it's hardly unusual.


Minute 37


After still more parting about and no actual restart the ref starts to have a chat talking to players telling them the scrum have been alright but now they need to sort their act out. Perhaps the ref has memory problems or lives in a fantasy world because demonstrably the scrums have not been okay.

However, with 2 seconds to spare on the minute the ball does finally go into the scrum


Minute 38


Ball somewhat shoots out the scrum but it's smoothly played by Care who goes open to Esterhuizen who takes it up and recycles, Quins come back to the shoreside with Kenningham who recycles but no more and then Louw who does really well (with support from Symons) to ride challenges from Williams, LCD, Hepburn and Sam Simmonds to get over for a score. Williams is the most culpable of the Exeter defenders for allowing the try, but the contact work from LCD and Hepburn and then Simmonds once it's clear there's a problem is too high


Minute 39


Not the fastest conversion attempt by Marchant, again sadly normal to wind the clock down at such points. Not a bad effort but it rebounds off the right upright.


Minute 40


Exeter kick off, Quins claim, recycle and send an uncontestable box kick back which gives Exeter time to work left, O'Flaherty works a little inside Lynagh and then fumbles the ball to the floor, distinctly less than impressive. Quins gather the loose ball but despite having the ball are deemed not to have an advantage after a phase or two, despite having the ball pretty much where it was dropped, knock on advantage remains a mystery concept in the game. Scrum Quins.

Quins have a solid scrum, ref shouts use it, Exeter pop up at the back and Quins drive through them to earn a penalty. The ref is right they can't disengage just because he's shouted use it but it's an iffy piece of game management

Quins win the lineout and get a little drive working then spread the ball wider, Esterhuizen pulls it back to Smith who delivers an early pass to Green. I'd say there's nothing really on with this play but with how Exeter are having to work across from a narrow starting setup Green is able to far too easily step on the side of Slade, Green breaks a few metres and gets the ball to Lynagh who takes contact and Quins have earned a penalty with Exeter going offside again. Again the ref doesn't issue a yellow and Quins opt for a scrum close to the posts.

The scrum turns a little sideways but Care just picks and goes and Exeter panic getting drawn to the ball. Care plays it back to Smith who's called for it and he pops it inside to Dombrandt who has an unopposed run in. Exeter might quibble the blocking by Louw and more so Baldwin, and maybe even the ball to Dombrandt, but tbh it would hardly have taken much for it to be a pen try and another yellow instead, and they should focus on O'Flaherty fucking them over for no good reason.


Minute 41


Exeter restarts, Lewies claims, Care box kicks off the park up to halfway. Exeter win lineout ball at the rear and release Kirsten up the middle, and he again in no way puts anyone in mind of Ewers. Still, Exeter work left and are again fairly easily able to get to the outside of the Quins defence, neither defence starts with width as any real concern.


Minute 42

Nowell with a 2 on 2 down the left works to the outside of Kenningham and forgets he has no pace because he's tackled by Kenningham. Kenningham might disengage for some fraction of a second but I've seen clearer and actual releases, but then surprising O'Flaherty is able to clear Kenningham off the ball anyway. At which point I assume Exeter are busy getting ready for the next play and they've overlooked they've not secured this phase. Maybe Quins drive a little off their feet going past the ball, but no one should have sympathy with Exeter for that, and Exeter could have put in resources anyway had they wanted rather than getting into shape for a phase they never had. Quins box kick to Exeter, Exeter box kick back, Cuthbert is hobbling around trying to fill a hole but he's essentially out of the game


Minute 43

Finally it's picked up on Cuthbert isn't in play and Smith puts a kick down the middle, not quite sure that's as intended but he'd know he's putting that spin in the ball so maybe I'm missing the point more than him. Nowell boots it back and Smith passes to Green who carries up over halfway. Quins put a few in to secure the ball and then don't try to run the next phase even with Cuthbert to attack on the outside of a decent shortside, and this time it's for sure a bad kick from Smith as he kicks the ball too close to the Exeter players and the kick is deflected where Exeter can reclaim, and the Simmonds with his side really needing the ball off the park puts a fairly useless kick straight into the arms of Murley, he'd have done better to have run back into his 22, taken contact run another phase and then kick the ball off the park, okay it's not easy finding touch outside the 22 but that's nothing like taking control for his side. Murley breaks down the left, gets tackled and then Esterhuizen does really well surviving the clearcut attempt from Exeter.


Minute 44

Smith feeds the ball to Chisholm who carries for a short distance and is tackled down by Williams and Hill, not much evidence of a clear release by Hill before he goes at the ball which is perhaps why the ref isn't fussed Louw clears him out coming in at the side. Smith kicks again, and this is a bad choice again as it's into the Exeter 22 allowing them to kick out on the full, but there's an even worse choice from O'Flaherty who just belts the ball downfield in play, what a muppet. Green gathers and carries back, nice footwork and hands from Green to keep the ball alive getting it away to Lynagh, Lynagh also keeps the ball moving getting it away to Kenningham, it's Care who goes in to protect the counter ruck and Lewies who quickly moves the ball away. Quins move the ball left and nice hands again has Marchant carrying just short of the line. Ball recycled and Esterhuizen crashes over near the left touchline. Quality work from Quins, utterly moronic from O'Flaherty who is costing his side s lot of points for very little gain.

Minute 45

Nowt happens


Minute 46

Smith with an excellent 2 point addition from near the left touchline.

Exeter restart and Quins drop the ball, Hill regathers and plays the ball away in one move, Quins having been set for the restart and losing Baldwin to the floor have a horrible defensive shape if Exeter can draw and pass. Exeter cannot draw and pass, Devoto (I think) under some pressure from Green just throws the ball to the floor, and that was a chance to do rather more. Exeter play back to the right and might have a chance to do something when Care runs out of the line trying to pressure Simmonds, Simmonds gets an inside ball to Hepburn, but Exeter have played towards the injured Baldwin and the ref reasonably stops play.


Minute 47

Exeter get a slight nudge on the scrum, penalty Exeter and Slade sticks it over the right touchline about 6m from the try line


Minute 48


Exeter win lineout ball towards the tail, drive, and drive so well they don't keep control and protect the carrier who's brought down around 3m from the line. Exeter set about doing what Exeter do, Simmonds gather at the base.

Minute 49

Louw and maybe Kenningham put in a decent double hit on Simmonds driving him back, but then both Quins defenders go to the floor and neither is able to complete the tackle on Simmonds who simply has another go and runs through Smith to score what is in the end a simple try. Quins will be cross to have met the physical challenge of the close quarter Exeter attack and still allowed them through when they had their man lined up.

The other Simmonds adds the 2


Minute 50

Smith kicks out to the right touchline, Slade gathers and could go to ground having the forwards guard the ball and wait for the 9 to clear. Instead Slade is inspired to keep his feet and run into Chisholm near the touchline and gets shoved out, there's a time and a place to try that little bit more, and this wasn't it from Slade.


Minute 51

The Quins lineout again doesn't quite work, it's just about tapped down on their side but not to anybody and Exeter come through to claim the ball. Exeter quickly move the ball left and Hogg looks for a break and makes a few metres, Devoto does well to protect the ball. Maunder, who is not having a good game, sends a pass out behind Simmonds which slows things down, Devoto next up takes contact in a recovery phase, and then Exeter move the ball right where Armand and Nowell gain them some ground down the right.

Minute 52

Exeter work back infield and again you just feel LCD would be more useful if he kept the ball alive more often. Care pushes up on Simmonds something of his job, and he's timing it pretty well, but Exeter still move the ball left and Slade finds Simmonds out wide with a nice pass, Simmonds breaks down the left is scanning the inside, can see the Quins players and then throws the ball infield to Marchant anyway, he might try and claim it was intended for an Exeter player but at best it was speculative. Care running back pushes Hogg over, but as Hogg falls to the floor he's able to scrag Marchant anyway. Care grabs the ball and O'Flaherty has a chance to drag him into touch for a 5m attacking lineout, I don't like the rule that allows you to drag a player on the floor and clearly neither does O'Flaherty. Esterhuizen just grabs the ball before Care is judged in touch, Quins run a couple of recovery plays which Exeter can't drive them back over the line during and Care gets away a decent clearing kick, lineout to Exeter

Minute 53

Exeter win another lineout. Make some ground but knock the ball on, Smith kicks the knock on advantage away and Hogg runs it back. Exeter work to the left where Slade drops off a bad pass to O'Flaherty who does well to gather on the bounce and presents it back.

Minute 54


Chiefs playing faster since Tonwsend replaced Maunder, to be expected with a fresh 9, but also some urgency from Exeter. Gray sends a not entirely sympathetic pass to Hepburn who takes contact, Chisholm tries to get over the ball but isn't able to do that or much slow the ball, he must be rather tired now he's done plenty. Simmonds spots the shortside defence has Louw in the line, he runs at Louw and passes to LCD, Kenningham can't get across quickly enough to LCD as he was having to keep an eye on Louw covering Simmonds, this allows LCD the time and he makes a return pass to Simmonds to break free, Simmonds passes inside for Devoto who canters over for a try. Maybe Green can trust Smith will catch Simmonds and cover across to Devoto earlier, but the last few phases have come quickly in a fairly fast game, and the issue is the previous chances to slow ball couldn't be taken.

Minute 55



Quins restart towards the left, Exeter claim and take contact a little outside the 22. Exeter run another phase to edge slightly closer to the right touchline. As an aside the Quins chase was led by Lewies.


Minute 56


Townsend box kicks too far to contest, Green runs it back through the tackle of Joe Simmonds. And then some nice hands has Quins breaking down the left, and LCD making a tackle concedes a penalty advantage not clearing away from the Quins side of the tackle. Smith finds Chisholm outside him, not one of Chishom's harder running efforts of the day, he must be shattered by now, but he still spins around a tackle from Gray to create some positive momentum. Exeter cannot get close to even trying to slow the ball and Williams allows Marler to shove him over reducing players on their feet numbers. With Kirsten having had a look at slowing the ball, and then maybe holding because Williams wasn't on his feet the spacings in the Exeter defence are too great and Smith easily breaks past Kirsten, he gets the ball to Kenningham who quickly finds Care and Care just throws a pass to keep things quick but it's forwards. Back for the penalty

Minute 57

Quins win the lineout at the front, Lewies, drive a couple of metres, and as soon as they're held the ball is ready at the back for Care to clear.


Minute 58

Strong carries from Esterhuizen and Dombrandt, but Sam Simmonds just about holds Dombrandt and Dombrandt does control contact, cannot then present quick ball and once Care can't clear he has to protect, Exeter counter and Care cannot survive the clearout. Quins try to rescue but give away a penalty in a losing cause. I get they're annoyed to lose ball so close to the posts but it's still a horrible place For Exeter to clear from if they don't respond to their frustration. Exeter clear just shy of halfway down the right.

Minute 59

Exeter go left from the lineout, O'Flaherty works back infield and is close to being held in the maul but the refs yells tackle. Exeter recycle and then Lynagh piles in from the side to force a knock on at the base. Lynagh is maybe 2-3 metres from the ref in a clear line of sight, he sees the knock on but not Lynagh, so scrum Quins. A big moment.

Minute 60

Scrum is a bit of a mess but Care clears and Quins play quickly to the left releasing Marchant who might feel he just has the beating of Nowell on the outside which encourages him not to work back, Nowell just gets enough on him to get him down and then Hogg rolls Marchant into touch.


Minute 61


Quins scrum was a mess and now so is Exeter's lineout, but an untidy slap back is gathered and Townsend makes another uncontestable box kick, not his worst, but not what you'd want. Quins are working nice towards and down the left before LCD knocks himself out on Dombdrant, chat between the refs is it wasn't foul play so maybe LCD didn't just torpedo in.


Minute 62

Perhaps the most stable scrum of the game, maybe it's Moon coming on, maybe it's Louw and Lewies going off making it easier for Moon. Quins quickly play to the right but they can't support the speed of play and Exeter force a turnover, Care might on another day have been marched back 10 but the ref opts not to presumably feeling that'd escalate things.


Minute 63

Long again from Exeter in the lineout, no kind intro throw for Yeandle, and this is over the back where Exeter are fortune they're able to claim the loose ball. Exeter set about a series of mostly one out carries, maybe the odd pick and go. They are making progress when Lamb gives away a penalty for a high tackle. Quins do start to push Exeter back when they push them back hard enough Kirsten is running the wrong way and the defenders pushing up allows Kirsten to find Slade and put him into a hole.


Minute 64

Slade forces a quick offload out the tackle which O'Flaherty happens to be able to grab. Ball back to Simmonds who more than a little floats a ball wide to Nowell, Exeter do have men on the floor reducing options, but it's not great. Had Nowell been able to link with Hogg than Hogg might have had a crack at Marler with Marler wondering how on earth he covers that but Nowell takes contact. Quins slow play at the breakdown and it's back for the high tackle fro Lamb. Exeter turn down an easy 3 points and kick to touch down the left 6m out.


Minute 65

Another wobbly lineout from Exeter, Quins get at the ball but only to knock it on towards Exeter. Exeter set a phase, Townsend runs in circles going nowhere before flinging a loose pass, but Lynagh has gone offside and it's another pen.

Minute 66

Exeter don't turn down another shot at goal. Simmonds easily adds the points


Minute 67

Quins restart to the left, Exeter claim, Townsend sends another uncontestable kick downfield and this time well infield too. Green however drops the ball for little reason, Exeter gather and Armand drops the ball for little reason. Green is probably somewhat tired, and perhaps hands are sweaty, a decent number of handling errors in the game now, whether poor passes, poor lineouts, or as in this minute just dropping the ball


Minute 68


Scrums does go down but Townsend plays it away. Simmonds put in an average grubber giving the ball to Green, and then Simmonds misses his tackle on Green. Green and Lynagh do well to stay infield.


Minute 69

Care box kicks clear and Lynagh is really pushing being ahead of the kicker, but it's such a poor kick he could be 5m further offside and not able to get at Hogg. Hogg breaks to the right and Marler whilst he can't quite stop him does really well to at least push Hogg over, Hogg regains his feet but that fraction of a second earned by a tired Marler defending alongside Collier against Hogg is another big moment. Slade continues the work down the right linking with Nowell. Exeter come back left and Sam Simmonds has some space down the left but Exeter through another speculative pass, this one goes forwards and Quins take the ball set up some phase play are Care gets ready to exit.


Minute 70


Hogg gather again, under a little more pressure, Gray has a chance to carry gets chopped low and it's Chisholm in to force a turnover penalty. Quins kick right almost up to Chief's 22.


Minute 71


Quins win the lineout and drive a little before they're halted and again Care is ready to play as soon as use it comes in. Quins establish themselves just outside the 22 but no real errors coming from the Exeter defence allowing any progress.


Minute 72


Quins really aren't going anywhere, Smith has to go back to collect loose ball, he makes a goose step which puts several defenders on the heels maybe but so what, and then O'Flaherty just straight up misses a tackle on Lynagh allowing basically an unopposed run in. Quins keep looking for which fair play but that's really poor from Exeter to just botch a 1 on 1

Minute 73


Nowt happens


Minute 74

Another fine two point addition from Smith.

Exeter restart a little to the right of the posts to Dombrandt and he passes to Smith pretty much bang in front of the posts. A horrible place to clear from but Smith gets really good distance once going long, Joe Simmonds still able to take on the full and doesn't kick back looking for territory but feeds inside to brother Sam who rather chances it. Simmonds runs away from his pack and doesn't round Symonds, can't have been far off conceding a pen but Exeter recycle. Chiefs run another phase, Symonds again with the tackle, Chiefs back to the left, Yeandle fumbles (he's not been good since coming on) and Care gathers and heads left. Care has some flat passing options including something of a 2 on 1 in the middle of the park, but doesn't want a flat option drawing up the Chiefs defence and kicks out to the right touchline where the ball evades Marchant and is gathered by Nowell. What might happen next we'll never know as the ref decides that's no knock on advantage, which I think is utter sodding bollocks, but as ever knock on advantages are a moment of mystery where refs get a chance to feed their whimsical nature.


Minute 75

After a very stable scrum Quins work left and well into the Chiefs 22


Minute 76


Quins continue to play at pace and when the Chiefs defence again rather panic Smith draws eyes to himself and turns a 2 on 3 attack into a 1 man overlap putting Green clear, and Green's run forces O'Flaherty infield opening the pass for Lynagh to run in again. No need for a score there, but the pace of the attack, the pressure of the game and just how tired they must be saw Chiefs defend as individuals not a unit and they gave up their extra resources for free.

Minute 77

Nowt happens


Minute 78

Smith adds the 2 points which is another excellent kick, and it's an excellent 9 point lead.

Chiefs restart, Quins receiving pod isn't in the right postcode to even see where the ball is, Nowell runs around the back of the pointless pod and Chiefs have nicked the ball, Quins have frankly switched off as following that error with the ball back to Yeandle he's able to drop the ball off to Kirsten as tackled by Symonds, Collier gets nowhere near Kirsten, and Kirsten is granted a run in behind and feeds Hogg who's easily over. Rubbish exit play, rubbish defence, just lost concentration most likely.

Minute 79

Chiefs knock over the extras quickly. Quins don't restart quickly,


Minute 80

Exeter take the restart with Slade, they have to run, move left and knock the ball on in contact, it's Kirsten who loses it to confirm he's no Ewers on the day. Quins protect the ball over a couple of phases and Care boots the ball off to seal a remarkable last few months of the season for Quins.


Marler is the official man of the match, and the scrums were a big part of the first half especially getting Quins on top. For me I'd probably opt for maybe Chisholm or even Lewies who was monstrous, but we shouldn't discount the role of of O'Flaherty who was probably behind more positives for Quins than anyone else.

Chiefs really missed the likes of Vermeulen and Ewers, but they can have a word with themselves about self inflicted damage, and they got far too little from Hepburn and Willians on the day. Perhaps they just assumed Quins couldn't go against after extra-time

[Mikey Brown]

I was very impressed by Chisholm and Lewies too, their physicality really seemed to have gone up a notch recently, but Symonds impressed me a lot perhaps because I haven’t rated him so highly before? For a big lump to keep grinding for the full 80 was impressive.

I know the goose step / hitch kick thing is ridiculous, but surely it played some part in O’Flaherty just completely taking his eyes off Lynagh. I’d criticise it too if it didn’t seem to end so frequently in a Quins try or linebreak.

[Digby]

The goose step did attract attention, from Townsend who stepped up isolating O'Flaherty a little and from O'Flaherty who turned in a little, but at the end of the day there's still a very basic 1 on 1 tackle to be made there and he just falls off it.

There's a lot to like about O'Flaherty's game, but especially on the defence side he's mistake prone, and he made lots of mistakes in this game that really cost his side. I doubt they'll want to berate him much, because much of this comes back to the Jim Telfer line you've got to want it, and that takes confidence and you're not going to build that by ripping him to pieces. I on the other hand am a miserable curmudgeon and by heavens that was poor

Basically picture if you reckon you could have played a game with Neil Back, missed a tackle and be able to sell Backy on the idea you didn't screw up missing said tackle I reckon you're okay. I don't think you'd be able to sell Neil Back on the idea that's an acceptable miss, I think he'd just glare and consider you weren't good enough to play with him