Exeter Chiefs win 24-20 at Saracens in play-off race

Exeter Chiefs earned a breathless 24-20 win at Saracens to leapfrog their play-off rivals into fourth place with just one round of the Premiership season to go.

Rob Baxter's men had won just once on their travels since November, but they turned in a superb performance at Allianz Park to move level on points with Saracens in the race for the top four.

Thomas Waldrom continued his prolific season with the winning score, his 16th try of the season equalling Neil Back's Premiership record for a forward in one campaign.

With just one point separating third-placed Leicester Tigers with Saracens in fifth, there is all to play for in the final matches. The Tigers have the most difficult task on paper as they host league leaders Northampton Saints.

Saracens will hope to pick up a bonus-point win against relegated London Welsh, while Exeter host Sale Sharks.

Gareth Steenson put the first points on the board with a penalty for Exeter, but it was Saracens who scored the first try when Chris Ashton went under the posts after an explosive break by Jamie George.

The Chiefs hit back in the 18th minute as Luke Cowan-Dickie bundled over for a converted score, but the electric start to the match continued as Saracens hit straight back - Chris Wyles going over in the corner after taking a superb offload from David Strettle.

Exeter went in front again, though, as Waldrom was the beneficiary of some patient play close in, only for a Charlie Hodgson penalty for Saracens to tie things up at 17-17 at the break.

A penalty from replacement Owen Farrell put the hosts ahead after the restart, but Exeter made the crucial breakthrough with nine minutes left when Waldrom scored with another pick-and-go with the Chiefs' defence standing firm in the wake of a Saracens barrage in the closing stages to secure a monumental win.