Big Summer kick-off delivers the heat

Harlequins pulled off a stunning second-half performance, coming from 14-24 down at half-time to beat Exeter Chiefs 41-24 at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, to win the Big Summer Kick-Off.

Going into the game, you’d likely have struggled to find many people who would have bet against Exeter heading home with a full five points, and they certainly started the better of the two sides.

Barely six minutes were on the clock when the visitors took the lead. Fly-half Harvey Skinner played a lovely cross-field kick over the top, which winger Campbell Ridl turned into a simple try. Exeter swiftly doubled their tally for the day when Paul Brown-Bampoe carried with pure determination; after flattening Quins full-back Jamie Benson, he passed the ball off to scrum-half Stephen Varney to dot down.

Harlequins began to find their feet and, just before the quarter-of-an-hour mark, thought they’d scored when hooker Sam Riley went over, only for the try to be disallowed. Upon review, it was clear Alex Dombrandt had played a forward pass—about two yards forward, in all honesty. Quins also came close again shortly after, and would have scored if it hadn’t been for a crucial interception from Olly Woodburn.

Exeter were playing the patient game, gradually building up metres, while Harlequins hadn’t yet created many real chances to threaten.

However, the home side were next to get on the scoreboard. A penalty from Marcus Smith into touch led to a brilliant rolling maul, and the ball eventually found its way to Jack Kenningham to crash over from short range.

Exeter soon wrestled back control of the game. First, a lineout move straight from the training ground saw hooker Max Norey score in the corner, before centre Len Ikitau ran in another try from around 10 metres out to secure the try bonus-point after just half an hour.

Marcus Smith had an excellent game with his kicking boot. Once again, a lineout maul found its way back to the Quins fly-half, allowing him to play a short pass to Luke Northmore, who burst under the sticks—a perfect way for the centre to celebrate his 100th appearance.

It was Eurovision weekend, and in the final stages of the first half, it was a case of channeling your inner Bucks Fizz and "making your mind up." Just 11 miles from ABBA’s favourite London landmark of Waterloo, there was a massive decision for TMO Dean Richards to make. Elliot Williams thought he’d scored when he appeared to ground the ball after a clearing kick from Varney was blocked just metres shy of his own in-goal area. There were questions over whether Williams had dotted down, whether Varney had grounded it, or if it had been simultaneous, but it's unlikely anyone expected the eventual outcome. The try was disallowed after Williams allegedly knocked on in-goal, with the TMO review deeming there was "clear separation."

The sides returned to the sheds with Chiefs holding a comfortable 10-point advantage after the first 40 minutes.

Over at Wembley, the FA Cup final was taking place, but you’d be forgiven for assuming it was happening in TW2 based on the first five minutes of the second half, as both sides seemed happy to exchange tactical kicks in the opening stages.

However, give the Quins forwards the ball and they can make things happen. The big boys up front carried well and made good ground before Cadan Murley was unleashed out wide to produce a comfortable finish in the corner.

Marcus Smith continued to execute some brilliant kicks, this time opting to keep them low to find touch in good positions. However, Exeter’s lineout defense proved to be extremely tough to break down.

Harlequins haven’t been at their best this season, partly due to the sheer volume of injuries they’ve sustained at times, but they managed to keep Exeter at bay on the try line just shy of the hour mark.

Jamie Benson then made a brilliant break for the hosts. When his offload found Will Porter, the replacement scrum-half had only one thing on his mind, duly delivering as he levelled the game up in the far corner—securing the try bonus-point in the process.

Discipline from both sides had been relatively good throughout, but when Exeter gave away a penalty around 30 metres out, it gave Harlequins a decision to make: kick for goal, or opt for touch and hope a solid drive off the lineout would see them over. The home side chose the former, and Smith slotted the kick coolly to put his side into the lead for the first time in the match.

With a huge 10 minutes remaining, Rob Baxter’s side quite honestly hadn’t got going in the second half. Their job was made even harder when Bachuki Tchumbadze was sent to the sin bin for a reckless high tackle.

The visitors may have been down a man, but with five minutes left to play, they looked refused to be beaten, producing some superb defensive work on their own line. Eventually, however, they were caught a bit too narrow, and the ball quickly made its way out wide to Will Evans, who happily extended Quins' lead.

With time running out, Harlequins were content to use up as much of the clock as possible to see out the game. However, the ball was coughed up, landing kindly for Exeter to turnover as they desperately hunted a losing bonus-point.

Desperate times can lead to errors. There was nothing wrong with Exeter’s passing until big prop Boris Wenger came charging through to intercept the ball, walking it in under the posts to seal a sensational comeback performance for his side.

After the game, Jack Kenningham told reporters he was glad his side were able to put in a massive shift and repay the fans for their loyalty, while coach Jason Gilmore praised Quins' ability to weather the first-half storm and follow it up with a huge performance in the second 40.

Meanwhile, Rob Baxter felt his team had control of the first half without "looking great," adding that his side need to learn from the performance. He also noted that they looked a bit flat at times and must address a few areas ahead of a tough final run-in if they are to secure a place in the play-offs.