5 hours ago
2
Gallagher Premiership
Harlequins (14) 24
Tries: Murley, Porter, Smith Cons: Smith 3 Pen: Smith
Exeter (12) 22
Tries: Tuima, Wyatt, Townsend Cons: Slade 2 Pen: Slade
Danny Care ended his stellar rugby union career with a win as Harlequins edged past Exeter 24-22 in the Premiership.
Care played his 395th and final game for Quins after 19 years at the club - Premiership Rugby giving the 38-year-old special dispensation to wear the number nine shirt from the bench.
The scrum-half, who has won two Premiership titles and earned 101 England caps, came on with 16 minutes to go.
He saw Marcus Smith kick a winning penalty with 10 minutes left as Quins edged past an Exeter side that put in one of their better performances in a disappointing season.
But the lack of a fourth try and a crucial bonus point meant any outside hopes seventh-placed Harlequins might have for fourth place and a spot in the play-offs came to an end.
They can now finish no higher than fifth place while Exeter remain in ninth, where they will end the campaign.
"I owe this club so much," Care told TNT Sports after the game.
"They've stuck by me through thick and thin and it's been an honour every time to wear the shirt and I'm really excited for the next person who gets the opportunity.
"It's a special club and I'll be supporting them all on the way."
Care joined as a 19-year-old from hometown club Leeds Tykes and went on to help Quins win some of their greatest honours, including a European Challenge Cup title in 2011.
He said he had struggled to control his emotions leading up to the game, especially when he had been at home with his wife Jodie.
"It's been a really mad week," he said.
"I felt uncomfortable at there being so much attention.
"I'll be honest, everyone thinks that I love attention, but I probably feel more comfortable hearing negative things about me than positive.
"But the outpouring of love has been incredible and it makes me realise all over again just how special this game is, the amount of amazing people you get to meet and come across.
"I'm just so glad we got a win, because it was looking a bit sketchy at the end."
Harlequins: T Green; Isgro, Beard, Waghorn, Murley; Smith, Porter; Baxter, Walker, Lamositele, J Green, Hammond, Kenningham, Evans, Dombrandt (capt).
Replacements: Riley, Els, Streeter, Launchbury, Lawday, Care, Kerr, David
Exeter: Hodge; Wyatt, Slade, Tua, Brown-Bampoe; Skinner, Townsend; Blose, Yeandle, Iosefa-Scott, Tuima, Jenkins (capt), Vermeulen, Capstick, Roots.
Replacements: Frost, Keast, Street, Tshiunza, Moloney, Cairns, Haydon-Wood, Lilley.
Yellow card: Tua (14), Wyatt (79)
Referee: Joe James
