The Prem

Exeter (14) 28

Tries: Wilson, Abuladze, Butt, Woodburn Cons: Slade 4

Harlequins (14) 31

Tries: Murley, David, Schmid 2, Kenningham Cons: Smith 3

Harlequins secured back-to-back Prem victories for the first time this season, defeating Exeter Chiefs in an enthralling end-to-end contest at Sandy Park.

Quins dominated the opening exchanges, with Cadan Murley and Nick David going over before Chiefs responded through Harry Wilson’s close-range effort.

Efforts from Nika Abuladze and Will Butt either side of half-time put the home side ahead but Quins fought their way back into the lead after a quick-fire brace from Lucas Schmid.

Jack Kenningham and Olly Woodburn exchanged late tries to set up a tense finish but Quins managed to scramble the ball into touch and ensure their winning run continues.

Under a bright Devon sky, it was the visitors who struck first.

Following a knock-on from the returning Manny Feyi-Waboso, Murley fed George Furbank who powered up the wing. The ball was then passed inside to Marcus Smith who fed the onrushing Murley to go over.

Quins doubled that lead soon afterwards. Attacking in the Chiefs’ 22, Luke Northmore’s delayed run unlocked the home defence, the centre then feeding the returning David to score despite the efforts of Woodburn.

The Chiefs, struggling to take advantage of their opportunities, finally got points on the board through Wilson, the lock driving over from a quick pick-and-go after good work from Abuladze.

Despite having a man advantage following Bryn Bradley’s yellow card, the home side were repeatedly denied by aggressive Quins defending before eventually fighting their way over through Abuladze to even the scores on the verge of half-time.

After all their good defensive work in the first-half, Quins then went behind thanks to a missed tackle. Marcus Smith was unable to contain Butt in midfield, with the centre scampering up the pitch to add the Chiefs’ third.

Schmid’s close-range effort restored parity, with the number eight then capitalising minutes later to add another.

Following strong carrying from Sam Riley and Luke Northmore, Quins drove into the Chiefs’ 22. With the ball eventually recycled wide, the back-rower drove through the final defenders to score in the corner.

Following late tries for Kenningham and Woodburn, the Chiefs found themselves only three points behind, but with the clock in the red they lost the ball at the lineout allowing Quins to kick for touch to record only their second league victory of the season.

Exeter: Haydon-Wood; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Butt, Woodburn; Skinner, Varney; Abuladze, Yeandle (c), Iosefa-Scott; Pearson, Wilson, Roots, Vintcent, Fisilau.

Replacements: Norey, Goodrick-Clarke, Tchumbadze, Bailey, James, Wolstenholme, Hammersley, Wimbush.

Harlequins: Furbank; David, Northmore, Bradley, Murley (c); Smith, Porter; Baxter, Walker, Kerrod; Dun, Treadwell, Kenningham, Driscoll, Schmid.

Replacements: Riley, Hobson, Streeter, Williams, Browne, Evans, Friday, Isgro.

Yellow card: Bradley (24).

Referee: Joe James.