Chiefs lose by just one point in match against Saints

Exeter Chiefs 16 Northampton Saints 17

A bit like the battering the Westcountry has faced all week, it was only a matter of time before the defences of the Exeter Chiefs were finally breached.

With two minutes remaining at Sandy Park, Northampton Saints centre George Pisi crashed over for a crucial try – converted by Stephen Myler – to send the East Midlanders back to the summit of the Aviva Premiership.

Pisi’s late intervention brought yet more heartache for Devon’s finest as yet again they failed to finish off rivals ahead of them in the current standings.

An 11-point haul from fly-half Gareth Steenson, together with a second half try for Dave Lewis, looked as though it may be just enough for Rob Baxter’s side, but the determined Saints never gave in and their late pressure brought rich rewards after first half tries from James Wilson and Samu Manoa.

Returning to Premiership action for the first time in a month – and after three successive victories in Cup competition – head coach Rob Baxter was able to field a powerful line-up for the visit of the travelling Saints. Skipper Dean Mumm and Dave Ewers both returned to the pack having sat out the previous week’s win at Worcester Warriors. Also back in the fold was centre Phil Dollman, who was given the nod ahead of Fijian international Sireli Naqelevuki.

The Saints, who themselves came into the game having joined the Chiefs, Bath and Saracens in the last four of the LV= Cup, also paraded a powerful array of talent, this despite five of their frontline stars being away with England in the Six Nations Championship in Scotland.

As expected the opening exchanges were largely dominated around the respective packs as both sets of forwards looked to gain the early dominance. Initially there was little to choose between either side, but the Saints were handed a boost when Aussie international Mumm was sent to the sin-bin by referee Greg Garner for illegal use of the boot at a ruck.

Although down a man, the Chiefs responded well and they broke the deadlock on ten minutes when fly-half Steenson fired over a sublime 35-metre penalty after Northampton prop Alex Waller was pulled up for a high tackle on the Irish playmaker.

Moments later and Steenson was afforded a second shot at the target, but wide on the right touchline and with a howling gale at his back, his shot at goal certainly had the distance, but not the direction as it drifted just wide of the near post.

Mumm returned to the fray from his spell in the cooler, but the Chiefs talisman could do little to deny the visitors from claiming the game’s opening try on 18 minutes. A bit like the battering the South West coastline has taken in recent days, so Northampton’s powerful pack did similar to the Chiefs defensive line as sustained pressure finally paid dividends when Kiwi full-back Wilson was able to dive over in the left-hand corner.

*Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency

Referee: G Garner

Attendance: 8,336

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Bath (H), Aviva Premiership, Saturday, February 15 (3.15pm)

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