Saracens close the gap

Goode: Kicked three penalties and three conversions

Saracens earned a seventh successive Aviva Premiership victory with a 33-12 victory away to Exeter on Saturday, reducing Leicester's lead at the top to just two points.

The victory spelled revenge for the Sandy Park visitors, who were overturned 23-9 at Vicarage Road in October, and they were in control from the off as they sealed the Chiefs' heaviest league defeat of the season.

Chris Wyles, Noah Cato and Rhys Gill touched down for Sarries with Alex Goode kicking a further 15 points. Tries from Jason Shoema and Sireli Naqelevuki were too little and too late for the hosts.

The Chiefs conceded a penalty under pressure early on, from which Goode, playing at full-back, kicked the opening points of the game.

James Short came close to scoring in the left corner as Saracens piled on the pressure, forcing Chiefs into another error and Goode added a second penalty.

Half-way through the opening period, Brad Barritt collected a loose ball and released his centre partner Wyles through for the first try of the game, with Goode converting.

Maiden try

Shoemark scored his maiden try for Exeter five minutes before the break, but Gareth Steenson was unable to convert to leave the Chiefs trailing 13-5 at the interval.

Goode extended Saracens' lead with his third penalty on 57 minutes.

However, after handing Richard Wigglesworth kicking duty moments later, the scrum-half missed a touchline penalty attempt.

There were 14 minutes left when fly-half Owen Farrell landed a 30-metre kick and then replacement wing Cato, who is leaving for Northampton next season, powered his way past the defence to the line.

Goode resumed kicking duty and duly converted from out wide.

Chris Budgen was penalised in midfield and from a kick to the corner set up a powerful Saracens maul to drive over Gill for the touchdown, with Goode again converting.

Exeter did not let their heads drop, though, as they continued to press and they were awarded in stoppage time as centre Naqelevuki scored in the right corner with replacement Ignacio Mieres converting.

The victory edges Saracens to within two points of leaders Leicester, who were held to a draw at home to Gloucester.