Doncaster Knights 19-21 Exeter Chiefs

Doncaster (6) 19
Tries: Goss, Wright Pens: Brooks (3)
Exeter Chiefs (10) 21
Tries: Rennie, Sestaret Cons: Gray Pens: Gray (3)

Exeter Chiefs had to come from behind to beat Doncaster in their Championship play-off clash at Castle Park.

After a scrappy first-half the Chiefs led 10-6 at the break, before an Olly Goss try put Doncaster in front shortly after the restart.

The Chiefs fought back with a penalty and Nic Sestaret try, but the Knights re-took the lead with an Andy Rice try.

With Doncaster leading 19-18 the Chiefs were awarded a late penalty which Danny Gray duly slotted over for the win.

The home side drew first blood with a James Brooks penalty after 19 minutes putting them in front.

Chiefs fly-half Danny Gray pulled them back on level terms six minutes later, before Brooks hit a second penalty.

Then, on 35 minutes, Chiefs centre Bryan Rennie span out of a tackle to go over for the first try of the game, with Gray adding the conversion.

Doncaster upped the tempo in the second half and only had to wait four minutes before Goss broke away for their first try.

Gray struck another penalty three minutes later, before Sestaret's try gave the visitors a seven-point lead.

But the home side kept pressurising the Chiefs and, with Brooks kicking his third penalty on 59 minutes, followed shortly by Rice's try in the corner, they took the lead with just over 10 minutes to play.

Rob Baxter's men stuck to their task and with just four minutes left on the clock Gray's penalty edged them in front once again, but this time there was no way back for the Knights.

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter told BBC Radio Devon:

"I think that probably on the balance of things we just about deserved to win today.

"We had probably a little bit more control of the ball in possession, but that said Doncaster played more rugby against us today than they have for the last two or three games.

"What I've got to credit the players with is great resilience; getting up off the floor, tackling and winning breakdowns and turnovers."