Given the grandest of stages to perform, Exeter Chiefs Women produced another impressive display as they maintained their position at the top of the Allianz Premier 15s table with a comprehensive victory over Harlequins at Twickenham.

Susie Appleby’s side ran in eight tries in total with Kate Zackary and Maisy Allen both crossing in the opening quarter, before Harlequins hit back through a penalty from Bella McKenzie and a try from Lucy Packer.

McKenzie slotted a further penalty to reduce the Chiefs lead to one, only for No.8 Rachel Johnson to restore some control for the Chiefs just before half time.

Down at the break, Red Roses star Abby Dow gave Harlequins the perfect start to the second half as she stormed over for Quins second try of the afternoon, but the Chiefs once again put themselves in control through tries from Ebony Jefferies and Claudia MacDonald.

Harlequins still refused to go quietly with a score from Hannah Sims, but in a dominant conclusion to the game, the Chiefs finished with a canter as first MacDonald dotted down for her second, before Nancy McGillivray and Zackary completed the job.

In what was no doubt an enormous occasion for all the players involved, playing at such an iconic stadium in front of a bumper ‘Big Game’ crowd, you could forgive the Chiefs players for taking a while to find their feet, however Zackary made sure the Chiefs got the ideal start as she punched through a couple of defenders to dot down in just the third minute.

Read the full article at the official Exeter Chiefs web site >>