Chiefs U18s 7 Saracens U18s 49

Exeter Chiefs Under-18s 7

Saracens Under-18s 49

Alfie Martin at Topsham Rugby Club

Exeter Chiefs Under-18s were unable to make it back-to-back wins in this season’s Premiership Rugby Under-18s League as they were blown away by a rampant Saracens outfit.

In what was an impressive display from the Londoners, the visitors ran in seven tries on the day thanks to tries from Josh Barton, Theodore Dan, Max Bliss, Daniel James, Brandon Jackson and Jake Morris (2).

Fly-half Barton also stepped up to convert all seven tries, ensuring he finished the contest with an impressive 19-point haul.

A lone flourish from Chiefs full-back Frankie Dart was Exeter’s only reward on the day, his score converted by Haydn Lidstone.

The Devonians struggled to find a solid platform early on in the contest, and found themselves punished at the hands of Morris, who cut a darting line to cross the whitewash. Things were compounded just minutes later as Barton dotted down, converting to ensure an early lead in the opening quarter.

Despite a rough start, Exeter rediscovered their scoring mojo at the hands of Dart. The hot-footed full-back cut a defence-splitting run to cruise in under the sticks, giving Lidstone an easy platform to slot the conversion.

However, just as they began to kick into action, the Chiefs found themselves at the mercy of Dan, the rumbling hooker squeezing himself over the line for the Sarries’ third. Barton kicked once more to secure a commanding lead heading into the break.

HALF TIME    EXETER CHIEFS U18s 7      SARACENS U18s 21

With their opposition already wounded, Saracens went for the jugular on the resumption, securing their fourth try at the hands of Bliss. Replacement winger James followed suit, helping himself to a score of his own to mark the visitors’ fifth converted try of the afternoon.

Things got no better for the Chiefs as they lost winger Charlie Cadogan to a yellow card after inadvertently taking out his opposite number without the ball. Despite reinforcing the back division with the likes of Isaak Welch and Tom Cairns, the home side couldn’t hold back the flood of red shirts as Sarries continued their rampage.

Morris backed up his earlier try with an effort gifted to him by team-mate Alex Wardell’s timely offload. Then, despite their tireless efforts to keep their opponents at bay, the Exeter young-guns fell victim once more as Jackson rounded offf the scoring with a final effort down the right flank.

Speaking after the game, Chiefs captain Jake Bond applauded the determination of his troops despite the weighty points difference on the pitch.

“All of the boys put a great effort in today and there were some good performances on show. I’m proud of our grit, despite the score,” said Bond. “We showed excellent physicality, but our organisation at the set-piece is something for us to work on.

“At the end of the day, we failed to capitalise with the ball and made too many mistakes. We gave too many errors away and didn’t hit those 50/50s when the ball was loose. Saracens were really good at capitalising with the opportunities that came their way.”

The young Chiefs have the chance to avenge their defeat on February 2 when Harlequins visit Devon.

Chiefs Under-18s: F Dart, B Fenton, T Sixton (I Welch 44), A Hill, C Cadogan, H Lidstone (A Gozzard 55), A Stacey (T Cairns 44), C King (C Goldsmith 54), W Goffey (M Oliver 54), H Dunn (D Welch 54), L Elsworth, L Bralsford (J Greaves 54), J Bond (capt), E Maltby (S Butterworth 55), H Hocking.

Try - Dart; Conversion - Lidstone

Saracens Under-18s: M Bliss, L Lacamp (D James 35), C Furley (B Jackson 35), J Hallett (C Furley 62), J Morris ( L Lacamp 60), J Barton, S Bryan (C Favell 47), H Sturge (J Warren 60), T Dan (S Adejimi 51), H Beaton (J Warren 25, H Beaton 45), A Wardell (M Cannon 39), C Crowe (C McGurk 39), T Ponsford, T Knight (N Bispham 51), O Stonham (capt)

Tries - Barton, Dan, Bliss, James, Jackson, Morris (2).; Conversions - Barton (7)

Referee: M Weston