'Absolutely insane' finish in 'mental' PWR game as Harlequins salvage late draw against 12-player Exeter Chiefs

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There was late, late drama in the PWR clash between Harlequins and Exeter Chiefs at The Stoop as Lagi Tuima's try earned the hosts a draw after three of the visitors' players were sent to the sin bin. In one of the matches of the PWR season, Harlequins found themselves 14 points behind in the second half, before their remarkable comeback. Claudia Pena missed a conversion with the final kick.

Late chaos as Harlequins grab dramatic equaliser before Pena misses match-winning conversion

Video credit: TNT Sports

Harlequins' last-gasp comeback in their 38-38 Premiership Women’s Rugby draw with Exeter Chiefs was labelled "absolutely insane".

The visitors led 35-21 early in the second half at The Stoop, but by the final few moments it was 38-33 with the hosts pushing desperately for a try.

Chiefs defended their line remarkably, making exceptional tackles and holding the ball up several times when a try seemed inevitable.

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But the away side saw their numbers reduced to 12 as three players were sent to the sin bin for venturing offside, despite repeated warnings from the referee.

It was not until the 87th minute that Lagi Tuima finally found space to dive over the line, levelling the score and breaking Chiefs' resilience.

But Claudia Pena's attempted conversion to win the game for Harlequins drifted wide of the posts, leaving the home side with a mix of both relief and disappointment at the full-time whistle.

Torley retakes the lead for Quins with try as hosts turn pressure into points

Video credit: TNT Sports

"It was absolutely insane," Chiefs flanker Maddie Feaunati said. "That's just the rugby the PWR's putting out at the moment. It's right down to the wire."

On the result itself, however, she had mixed feelings.

"We'll take the draw but we will be disappointed with it as well," she added. "We've proven that we can show up physically and we'll take a lot of confidence from that. It's just our execution, and building on that."

TNT Sports pundit Natasha Hunt, reflecting on a remarkable match, said: "Both teams will be bitterly disappointed.

"Firstly, Exeter for how they defended their line - that was such a valiant effort. I know they gave away penalties and had yellow cards, but the way they kept them out for that many phases was just mega.

"Harlequins having that opportunity, having different things they could've gone to. I'm so surprised they didn't call a scrum. Fair result for me."

Former England full-back Emily Scarratt described the game as "mental", and singled out Harlequins star Ellie Kildunne for praise after her stunning try in the first half.

"Ellie Kildunne again just lights this place up - the noise this place gives her when she takes off is just amazing," Scarratt said on TNT Sports.

'How good was that?' Kildunne scores scorching long-range try

Video credit: TNT Sports

There were contrasting emotions for Harlequins head coach Ross Chisholm, whose side remain third in the PWR table - a point above Chiefs in fourth.

"We're disappointed not to win, to be honest," he told TNT Sports. "I was really proud of the efforts to claw the game back when we were 14 points down - the heart and the bravery we showed.

"We want to be the best, and we want to win games, so it's a weird one. It's sort of a feeling of satisfaction but also a little bit of disappointment.

"We'll dust ourselves off from today and not think too far ahead."

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