Esterhuizen's try helps Harlequins edge Exeter Chiefs

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Andre Esterhuizen delivered yet another incredible performance as his late converted try helped Harlequins secure a crucial 14-12 win over Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.

Exeter played the entire second half at the Twickenham Stoop a man down after Alec Hepburn was sent off for a dangerous clearout of Joe Marler that saw the England prop land on his head.

Quins, however, failed to make the most of several chances as rain lashed down in southwest London.

Instead, with the scores level at 7-7, it was Exeter who struck next through replacement hooker Jack Innard in the 65th minute.

Hoever the 22-year-old Marcus Smith’s kick ahead paved the way for Andre Esterhuizen’s 79th-minute try, with the England flyhalf then kicking the winning points from the touchline.

Third Player of the Match award in a row 👏🔥

Incredible display from @Andre_301207 as the South African chats with @btsportrugby after @Harlequins‘ win at the Stoop 🇿🇦🃏#HARvEXE | #GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/yqbXm9hQMJ

— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) January 8, 2022

“That shows a top-class player, to kick from the sideline with the game on the line. You don’t coach that, it’s locked in,” said Harlequins boss Tabai Matson of Smith, who only made his England debut in July.

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter was proud of the way his side played with 14 men.

“Everyone knows that yellow and red cards have a huge effect on games and we weathered that pretty well,” he said.

“We’re disappointed not to get more, but at the same time we’ve done a lot of good things. We did everything we could have to give ourselves a chance.”

Elsewhere, Gloucester won at Saracens for the first time since November 2008 with a hard-fought 25-24 victory.

Since their last victory at Saracens’ former home of Vicarage Road, the Cherry and Whites had lost 12 and drawn once in 13 visits to their Premiership rivals.

But tries from Fraser Balmain, Jack Singleton and Lewis Ludlow, plus Scotland international Adam Hastings’ two penalties and two conversions gave the west country club a win.

Saracens scored four tries through Dom Morris, Rotimi Segun, Theo McFarland and Alex Lewington.

Alex Lozowski, however converted just two of those efforts, the centre missing a relatively simple chance and a late kick from the touchline.

Gloucester won despite conceding 14 points without reply and losing two players to the sin-bin midway through the first half.

“I’m immensely proud of the boys to come here and win for the first time in 14 years,” said Gloucester attack coach Alex King.

Saracens remained second in the table, a point ahead of capital rivals Harlequins, but unhappy boss Mark McCall said: “We are massively disappointed and it pains me to say it but Gloucester had more energy and appetite for the fight.”

Saturday’s other Premiership match saw Dan Biggar kick 17 points as the Wales flyhalf steered Northampton to a thumping 44-8 win at Newcastle.

The scorers and scores:

Harlequins 14-12 Exeter Chiefs

The scorers:

For Harlequins
Tries: Northmore, Esterhuizen
Cons: Smith 2

For Exeter Chiefs
Tries: Slade, Innard
Con: J Simmonds

Newcastle Falcons 8-44 Northampton Saints

The scorers:

For Newcastle Falcons
Try: McGuigan
Pen: Hodgson

For Northampton Saints
Tries: Collins, Skosan, Matavesi, Furbank, James
Cons: Biggar 4, Furbank
Pens: Biggar 2
Drop goal: Biggar

Saracens 24-25 Gloucester

The scorers:

For Saracens
Tries: Morris, Segun, McFarland, Lewington
Cons: Lozowski 2

For Gloucester
Tries: Balmain, Singleton, Ludlow
Cons: Hastings 2
Pens: Hastings 2