Skipper Richie Baxter opened the scoring for the Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs continued to close in on National One leaders Leeds Carnegie as they edged past Nottingham in Sunday's clash at Meadow Lane.

The Chiefs took advantage of a second successive loss by leaders Leeds.

But, despite carving out a half-time 15-0 lead with tries from Richie Baxter and Brett Sturgess, Exeter missed the chance of a bonus point victory.

Instead, Nottingham bounced back after the break to almost snatch it through tries from Luke Sheriff and Nic Rouse.

The Chiefs, who have a game in hand, now trail Leeds, who have a significantly better points difference, by five points.

That game in hand will now come this Saturday when the Chiefs head for a 'double header' in Birmingham against Moseley.

Their EDF Energy National Trophy semi-final will also count as a league fixture for their postponed game earlier this season.

A four-try win would take Exeter to Twickenham again, as well as seeing them go level with Leeds at the top of League One.

If the teams are then level at the end of the season, Leeds would go up, having won most games, as well as enjoying that better points difference.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version