Premiership Women's Rugby: Exeter Chiefs Exeter lose ground at top of table after draw with Harlequins

Exeter Chiefs missed the chance to close the gap on the top two in the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby table after being held to a 19-19 draw at home to Harlequins.

The result means Chiefs remain third but are now nine points behind leaders Gloucester-Hartpury and five behind Saracens in second having played a game more.

Harlequins move above Loughborough Lightning into fifth on points difference.

It was the visitors who started brighter at Sandy Park when Connie Powell touched down in the 17th minute to give the Harlequins a 5-0 lead, but that seemed to spark Exeter into life.

From the restart, the home side went straight on the attack. Maisy Allen made a great break before DaLeaka Menin crossed the line to restore parity, with Gabby Cantorna adding the extras to make it 7-5.

A converted try on the half-hour mark extended Exeter’s lead to nine points but Quins responded before the break.

Prop Bablwa Latsha’s try was converted by Ella Cromack, while Chiefs were dealt a further blow with a yellow card for Emily Tuttosi.

The hosts did well not to concede while down to 14 but fell behind in the 49th minute through Heather Cowell’s converted try put Harlequins five ahead and in reach of a much-needed victory.

But they couldn’t see it out. Some slick play put Katie Buchanan into space, and although she stumbled, she made it over the line to make it 19-19 and set up a tense finale.

The only surprise was that neither side could find a winning contribution, meaning the points were shared.

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