Exeter Claims Victory Over Benetton with Slade's Winning Penalty

A dramatic late penalty kick by Henry Slade allowed Exeter to narrowly defeat Benetton 44-41, securing a spot in the Challenge Cup semi-finals against Ulster in Belfast. Benetton had taken the lead with 15 minutes remaining through Jacob Umaga's try, but Slade's penalty leveled the score four minutes later, and he sealed the win with another penalty in the 78th minute, sparking outrage among the home fans. The first half was marked by a series of intense exchanges, with Exeter establishing a 14-7 lead thanks to Olly Woodburn's score and a penalty try. They further extended their advantage to 24-14 after Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's effort and Slade's successful conversion and penalty. However, the hosts drew level by the break, courtesy of an outstanding try from Onisi Ratave and Umaga's conversion and penalty. Exeter regained the lead two minutes into the second half through Harvey Skinner's converted try, only for Bautista Bernasconi to equalize for Benetton. Andrea Zambonin's try from short range put Exeter ahead 38-31, but Umaga's penalty and subsequent try, which he converted, gave Benetton their first lead since the eighth minute. Ultimately, Slade's decisive kick secured the win for Exeter. In another match, Investec Champions Cup holders Bordeaux overcame Toulouse 30-15 to set up a semi-final against Bath. Toulouse started strongly at Stade Chaban-Delmas but Bordeaux's defense held firm until Maxime Lamothe scored off a maul in the 23rd minute. The visitors responded immediately from the restart, with Yoram Moefana failing to catch the kick-off and Romain Ntamack eventually darting in on the right. A late first-half stoppage occurred after Toulouse prop Dorian Aldegheri made contact with Damian Penaud's head while kicking the ball, resulting in a 20-minute red card and Penaud undergoing a head injury assessment. Despite this, Toulouse took the lead into the break after a sweeping passing move allowed Teddy Thomas to score, making it 12-5. Thomas Ramos extended Toulouse's advantage with an early second-half penalty, but Bordeaux fought back. Matthieu Jalibert collected his own kick-through on the right before diving over, and Toulouse were briefly down another player when Antoine Dupont received a yellow card for a trip. Bordeaux took control of the tie when Ben Tameifuna barged over and Maxime Lucu landed a long-range penalty just after the hour. Any hopes of a late comeback were extinguished with six minutes left when Arthur Retiere touched down Bordeaux's fourth try in the corner, followed by Lucu's penalty.