Exeter Braves win A League title

A storming second half showing saw Exeter Braves claim victory in this season’s Aviva Premiership A League final against Northampton Wanderers at Sandy Park.

Triumphant back in 2012, Ricky Pellow’s side repeated the feat on home soil with another impressive display that yielded nine tries for the Devon club.

Experienced skipper Kai Horstmann led the way with two scores, while there were also touchdowns for Michele Campagnaro, Brett Sturgess, Elvis Taione, Ben White, Tom Hendrickson, Byron McGuigan and Sam Simmonds.

Former Northampton youngster Will Hooley did the rest of the damage by booting over five conversions. Northampton, it has to be said, played their part in an entertaining final, keeping in contention for the first half at least thanks to tries of their own through Jamie Elliott, Rory Hutchinson and Reece Marshall.

Winger Tom Collins added a fourth just after the break, while JJ Hanrahan helped himself to five points with the boot. It was, however, never enough to dampen a magical day for the Braves and in particular long-serving prop Sturgess, who was one of a number of players making their final run-out at Sandy Park.

Having brushed aside Newcastle Falcons 48-15 in the semi-final the week previous, Pellow made just one change to his starting XV for this final assignment. It came in the front-row where Alex Brown was brought in at tight-head in place of Carl Rimmer, who 24 hours earlier had helped the Chiefs return to second spot in the Premiership with victory over Wasps.

The Wanderers, fresh from their own impressive last four victory over defending champions Saracens Storm, were equally as strong, parading a clutch of first team stars, headed up by skipper Michael Paterson and Irish fly-half Hanrahan.

See more at: http://exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/braves-win-a-league-title/#sthash.ZrZnLhjv.dpuf

Exeter Braves 55 Northampton Wanderers 25

Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency