Rugby-Harlequins beat Exeter in thriller to take Premiership crown
By Mitch Phillips
LONDON, June 26 (Reuters) - Two late tries by winger Louis Lynagh ensured Harlequins were crowned Premiership champions for the first time in nine years as they beat holders Exeter 40-38 on Saturday in a Twickenham final full of superb tries and unrelenting drama.
Quins, who beat Bristol in the semi-finals after coming back from 28-0 down, showed all that spirit again to set up the decisive late tries just as the holders looked set to triumph again in their sixth successive final.
The victory was all the more remarkable coming after Quins began the season with two wins from seven games, before sacking coach Paul Gustard and sparking a revival culminating in one of the all-time great finals.
Only 10,000 fans were allowed into the 82,000-capacity stadium across the road from Quins' home ground but it sounded like a full house as they generated a wonderful atmosphere, energised by the total commitment to high-octane attack from both sides.
Quins drew first blood when a rolling maul was dragged down for a penalty try. Exeter responded in similar fashion for a Jonny Gray try then went ahead via Alex Hepburn.
Quins stormed back into attack and got their second score through prop Wilco Louw and went in at halftime 19-14 ahead after flyhalf Marcus Smith popped a clever inside pass for the rampaging Alex Dombrandt to charge over.
FANTASTIC TRY
After Quins' sensational 43-36 semi-final win, Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter had vowed to starve them of the ball to prevent any repeat of the free-flowing attacking that earned that incredible victory.
Usually the masters of control, however, Exeter were unable to do that, particularly when they were effectively down to 14 with winger Alex Cuthbert hobbling.
Harlequins took full advantage with a fantastic try where half a dozen players ran with real intent and forced their way through tackles to send Andre Esterhuizen over to earn a 26-14 lead.
Exeter are not the sort of team to sit back though and, after another tryline assault, Premiership player of the year Sam Simmonds crashed over for his 21st try of the season before a great break by his brother Joe allowed Ollie Devoto to score under the posts to edge them into a 28-26 advantage.
A Joe Simmonds penalty edged that to a five-point lead and the title looked set to be heading back to the south-west.
Harlequins refused to accept that prospect as they created another superb try finished by 20-year-old winger Lynagh, whose father Michael won the World Cup final with Australia on the same pitch 30 years ago.
Lynagh then scored again in the same corner and, with Smith nailing both touchline conversions, it seemed all over with three minutes on the clock.
Incredibly, Exeter hit straight back with a Stuart Hogg try to get it back to 40-38, but a vital turnover soon after gave the Londoners the ball and they ran down the clock to secure a win for the ages. (Reporting by Mitch Phillips; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Ken Ferris)
