Allianz Premier 15s: Exeter Chiefs end Saracens' unbeaten run
- Published
Kate Zackary scored the Chiefs' second of three tries against Saracens
Saracens suffered their first Premier 15s defeat since October 2018 as they lost 22-14 to Exeter Chiefs.
The Chiefs went 15-0 up through tries from Poppy Leitch and Kate Zackary, Gabby Cantorna kicking five points.
Lottie Clapp’s fine try, converted by Holly Aitchison, gave Saracens hope, but the Chiefs’ Rachel Johnson scored a try, converted by Cantorna, late on.
Saracens scored through Cara Wardle with Aitchison kicking another two-point conversion but it was not enough.
This defeat ended a 33-match unbeaten run for Saracens, who won the Premier 15s in both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons before the 2019-20 campaign was declared null and void because of the coronavirus.
Exeter Chiefs head coach Susie Appleby said: "I'm really pleased for the girls. We've all worked hard and stuck at it. We're on a really good journey and put a performance together.
"Beating Saracens is phenomenal, but putting performances consistently back-to-back is what makes a very good side."
This was the first game in the competition since 9 January after a two-week break to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.
Second-placed Saracens had won the opening seven matches of this season and their loss means leaders Harlequins, with eight wins from eight games, are the only remaining unbeaten team.
"I have to give credit to Exeter - the physicality and energy they had. They put in a very good performance and we didn't match that," said Saracens head coach Alex Austerberry.
"You can't really score if you keep losing the ball. It was very good from Exeter but we were really poor in our execution."
The Chiefs stay fifth having won five and lost five of their 10 matches in their first Premier 15s campaign.
Saturday's other scheduled match, between Gloucester-Hartpury and DMP Durham Sharks, was postponed because of flooding after heavy rainfall on Friday flooded roads on to the main road into Hartpury College venue.
A huge day of matches in the Premier League on Saturday, all the goals and highlights are streaming now on BBC iPlayer
