Henry Slade Holds Nerve to Secure Exeter’s Semi-Final Spot

Exeter Chiefs advanced to the European Challenge Cup semi-finals following a tense encounter against Benetton, where Henry Slade’s decisive 79th-minute penalty kick sealed the deal. The England centre, who has converted seven out of seven penalties this season, delivered the crucial score to edge out the Italians in a high-scoring, fast-paced match at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo.

Match Highlights and Key Moments

Benetton started strongly, taking an early lead through a try by Italy international Niccolo Cannone in the fifth minute. However, Exeter responded immediately with a try from veteran full-back Olly Woodburn, who capitalized on a pass from Slade just three minutes later. The game saw a flurry of tries, with both teams scoring a total of 10, keeping the contest thrilling throughout.

“The tone of a see-saw match was set when Exeter hit straight back through veteran full-back Olly Woodburn, who took Slade’s pass, to score three minutes later.”

Benetton’s dominance was evident early, but Exeter’s precision in finishing kept them in the game. A penalty try awarded to the Chiefs in the 16th minute, following a dropped lineout by the home side, gave them a temporary advantage. However, wing Onisi Ratave was sent to the sin-bin for a penalty, and Benetton quickly leveled the score with tries from Jacob Umaga, after a powerful run from Tommaso Menoncello.

Exeter’s Manny Feyi-Waboso, who has scored seven tries in his 13 England caps, restored the lead with a try, while Slade added a penalty to extend the Chiefs’ lead. The game remained tightly contested, with Benetton’s Umaga landing a long-range penalty in the final moments of the half to tie the score at 24-24.

Second Half Drama and Final Kick

The second half saw an onslaught of tries, as Harvey Skinner and Andrea Zambonin crossed for Exeter, with Bautista Bernasconi scoring for Treviso in between. Umaga brought Benetton within four points with a penalty just after the hour mark, but Exeter’s resilience shone through. With 14 minutes remaining, the Chiefs trailed after Slade’s missed opportunity, only to pull level again with a long-range penalty from the stand-off. As the clock ticked down, Slade calmly executed a 25-meter boot to clinch the victory.

Exeter will face Ulster in the semi-finals during the weekend of 2 May, following this hard-fought win. The Chiefs’ ability to maintain composure under pressure, highlighted by Slade’s final kick, will be vital as they aim to progress further in the competition.

Team Lineups

Benetton: Gallagher; Ratave, Menoncello, Fekitoa, Mendy; Umaga, Uren; Gallo, Bernasconi, Zilocchi, N Cannone, Ruzza, Zuliani, Favretto, L Cannone. Replacements: Maile, Aminu, Pasquali, Negri, Fa’aso’o, Izekor, A Garbisi, Marin.

Exeter Chiefs: Woodburn; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Rigg, Ridl; Skinner, Varney; Sio, Yeandle, Roots, Jenkins, Zambonin, Hooper, Vintcent, Fisilau. Replacements: Dweba, Burger, Tchumbadze, Tuima, Worley-Brady, Cairns, Haydon-Wood, John.

Referee

Referee: Luc Ramos (France)