Exeter Chiefs have failed to secure a playoff place in the Aviva Premiership despite clinching a 44-16 win over Sale Sharks on the final day of the season.
Ian Whitten and Jack Nowell crossed the try line in the first half for the home side, but a couple of penalties from Danny Cipriani and a Josh Beaumont run left Sale just four points behind at the interval.
Exeter were on the attack again at the start of the second half, but Beaumont added his second of the afternoon to keep the sides close, powering over after Vadum Cobilas had led the break for the visitors.
However, two tries in quick succession from Matt Jess helped the home side surge ahead with 20 minutes to go, while Henry Slade squeezed over from close range to put the win beyond doubt.
A fight broke out towards the end of the match, resulting in a red card for Ross Harrison after he punched Alex Brown, who finished the match in the sin bin as a result of his part in the scuffle.
The sending off allowed the hosts to extend their led further with just a few minutes to play as Byron McGuigan collected the ball out wide to dive over.
However, Saracens' emphatic win over London Welsh and Leicester Tigers' victory ensured that the Chiefs finished fifth in the final table, two places above Sale.
Sian Cowper
