Baxter: Chiefs justify position
Tim Swiel missed a last-gasp penalty attempt in the driving rain and Exeter Chiefs held on for a memorable victory, thanks largely to Gareth Steenson who contributed 21 points in total. James Short's try at the end of the first period and four Steenson penalties were enough for a 19-17 lead at the interval, despite Harlequins outscoring their hosts by three tries to one.
Despite Tim Visser's unbelievably fortunate score in the corner, with the ball coming back off the corner flag, the brilliant Steenson's second half try was ultimately enough for Exeter.
"I thought Harlequins were very good, particularly in the first half when they took advantage of what was quite a passive and timid performance by us. The try we scored just before half-time was crucial for us, and then we started to show some proper qualities.
"We got our set-piece going, and we probably showed enough for us just to edge it. We fought and fought. We are frustrated at parts of the performance, but ultimately, sometimes you have got to look at the scoreboard.
"Teams that hang around for long periods in the top four, that's what they do. Sometimes, you win games and you kind of wonder how you have done so," Baxter said.
Conor O'Shea's side remain third on the table for the time being and with Nick Evans, Charlie Walker, and a penalty try adding to Visser's second half score, Harlequins at least left Exeter with two bonus points.
But O'Shea chose to heap his praise on under-pressure England captain Chris Robshaw, who he insists is still putting in monumental performances week on week.
"I never single people out but I thought Chris Robshaw was outstanding today. I hope people take a long, hard look at that before they start writing him off. He has been one of the outstanding back row forwards in this country for many a year.
"He made yards today, when you didn't think he could make yards and he was turning ball over, he was tackling, he was working.
"I am gutted for us as a team, but I am incredibly proud of the performance. We are going to be in this for the long haul this season and we are going to get stronger and stronger. There is a genuine fight and drive within this group to prove a few things to themselves and to a few others," O'Shea said.
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