The Prem: Saracens 24-30 Exeter: Late tries from Greg Fisilau and Henry Slade clinch thrilling victory for Chiefs

The Prem

Saracens (12) 24

Tries: Caluori 2, Malins, Penalty Cons: Farrell

Exeter (13) 30

Tries: Varney, Fisilau 2, Slade Cons: Slade 2 Pens: Slade 2

Exeter completed a remarkable comeback with three late tries to overcome Saracens at StoneX Stadium and reach the summit of the Prem.

With two tries from Greg Fisilau, they narrowed an 11-point gap before Henry Slade added a try in the final moments of a thrilling contest.

The Chiefs entered the break with a narrow one-point advantage after Stephen Varney’s try responded to scores from Noah Caluori and Max Malins.

After a second try from Caluori and a penalty try, Saracens seemed to be heading towards their fourth season victory.

However, Exeter finished strongly with Slade contributing 15 points, and a crucial penalty miss from Owen Farrell ensured their position at the top before Bath’s game against Newcastle on Sunday.

Saracens made a last-minute alteration to their line-up with Olly Hartley, who was initially not in the squad, taking Lucio Cinti’s place.

The hosts started positively, as Caluori seized a loose pass from Slade and ran unopposed, followed by Theo Dan assisting Malins to score in the corner after a successful line-out.

Exeter’s troubles increased as Tom Hooper received a yellow card for a tackle that made contact with Dan’s knee. The referee, Luke Pearce, refrained from issuing a red card as the initial contact was with the thigh.

Despite being a man down, the Chiefs kept battling and took the lead following a lengthy TMO review.

Campbell Ridl won a 50:50 against Caluori after Ivan van Zyl let an Exeter box-kick slip over his head.

The ball rebounded and struck Ridl in the face before he regained control and set up Varney for an easy try, with replays inconclusive as to whether his hand touched the ball for a knock-on.

Ridl’s debut in the Prem was marked by a trip to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on that halted Hartley’s pass and prevented Caluori from scoring a second try, with a penalty try awarded to restore Saracens’ lead.

Eventually, Caluori earned the second try his performance warranted, following good teamwork from Malins and a high pass from Elliot Daly, allowing Caluori to dive into the corner with the last action of his match.

The finale was electrifying as Fisilau notched two quick tries.

First, he powered through off a maul, and then navigated through defenders to give the Chiefs a one-point advantage.

Exeter held firm against a strong push from Saracens as their defense kept the ball up on the line, while Farrell missed a penalty attempt that could have given the Men in Black the lead.

With the game’s concluding moments, Slade intercepted and sprinted into the corner to secure victory for the visitors.

Saracens: Daly; Caluori, Tompkins, Hartley, Malins; Farrell, Van Zyl; Carre, Dan, Street, Isiekwe, Tizard, Gonzalez, Earl, Willis

Replacements: George, Mawi, Riccioni, Wilson, Onyeama-Christie, C Bracken, Burke, Segun

Exeter: Woodburn; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Ikitau, Ridl; Skinner, Varney; Goodrick-Clarke, Yeandle, Tchumbadze, Jenkins, Zambonin, Hooper, Roots, Fisilau

Replacements: Heaven, Sio, Roots, Pearson, James, Chapman, Haydon-Wood, Rigg

Sin-bin: Hooper [27], Ridl [45]

Referee: Luke Pearce