RUGBY UNION: A PAIR of last gasp kicks from Gareth Steenson broke the hearts of travelling Wasps supporters as Exeter Chiefs won Saturday’s Aviva Premiership Final at Twickenham in dramatic style.
Steenson first kicked Exeter back into the game with minutes remaining in regulation time when the Chiefs trailed by three points, forcing the game to extra-time.
A scoreless first half of extra time was followed by a tense second half as fans braced themselves for penalty kicks.
However such events weren’t necessary as Steenson proved to be the man of the moment for the Devon-based side when a calm kick just two minutes from time ensured the Chiefs were crowned national champions.
Wasps did have to fight hard to force the game to extra time though as earlier in the fixture they found themselves trailing by 14 points to 3 when two first half tries for the Chiefs could only be responded to through a penalty kick.
Jimmy Gopperth gave Wasps hope when he scored a try to reduce Exeter’s advantage to just four points at half time.
Elliot Daly then put Wasps ahead for the first time in the match when his try handed Dai Young’s side a six point lead – though the final quarter of the game belonged to Exeter.
A strong defensive effort wasn’t enough for Wasps as Steenson’s two penalty kicks – the second coming in the final minute – took the game to extra time.
Played in blazing sunshine, Exeter’s relentless pressure prevailed as Steenson’s penalty two minutes from time proved to be enough for the Chiefs.
After the final, Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said: “I couldn’t have asked for any more from my players, I’m just really disappointed for them because they have put so much in.
“We didn’t make it easy for ourselves, we were a little bit loose and tried to force things.
“We ended up defending for big periods of the game, but we were a minute and a half away from winning that one.
“I’m extremely proud of everything we have done this season and the effort again today.
“We’ll give our guys a day or two to get over it and they have a few weeks off.
“Exeter have shown the way, they didn’t quite achieve it last year but have come back and got their hands on the trophy this year.
“That’s easier said than done, but it is something we have also got to look to do.”
