Exeter Clinch Victory Over Sale to Enter Premiership Play-Off Positions
Stephen Varney and Olly Woodburn scored tries for Exeter in their match against Sale.
Tries: Varney, Ridl, Woodburn, Brown-Bampoe
Conversions: Slade 3
Tries: van Rhyn, D du Preez
Conversions: R du Preez 2
Exeter Chiefs secured a 26-14 win over Sale Sharks at Sandy Park, moving into the Premiership play-off places.
Early tries from Stephen Varney and Campbell Ridl gave Exeter a 12-0 lead within the first 15 minutes, as they dominated the opening phase of the game.
Sale responded with a try from Ernst van Rhyn, narrowing the gap, but Olly Woodburn soon extended Exeter's lead, which stood at 19-7 by halftime.
In the second half, Dan du Preez scored for Sale within the opening five minutes, reducing Exeter's advantage to five points.
Exeter secured a try-scoring bonus point with 15 minutes remaining when Paul Brown-Bampoe scored under the posts.
This victory elevated Exeter to third place in the Premiership standings. They are set to remain in the top four at the end of the round, as Bristol and Leicester, the teams they have surpassed, face each other on Sunday.
Sale's defeat leaves them in seventh place, with their chances of reaching the play-offs appearing slim.
Team Line-Ups
Exeter: Woodburn; Brown-Bampoe, Slade, Rigg, Ridl; Skinner, Varney; Sio, Yeandle, Tchumbadze, Jenkins (capt), Zambonin, Hooper, Vintcent, Fisilau.
Replacements: Heaven, Goodrick-Clarke, J Roots, Pearson, Worley Brady, Cairns, Haydon-Wood, D John.
Sale: Carpenter; O'Flaherty, Louw, Ma'asi-White, Reed; R du Preez, Quirke; McIntyre, Jibulu, Harper, van Rhyn (capt), Bamber, Verrmeulen, Dugdale, D du Preez.
Replacements: Caine, McEachran, W John, Gilmore, Logan, Warr, Davies, Wills.
