Chiefs move back into top four
Match report: Exeter Chiefs 21 Northampton Saints 10
Exeter Chiefs underlined their Aviva Premiership play-off credentials with aplomb as they saw off visiting Northampton Saints at a packed Sandy Park.
A dominant set-piece, allied with razor-sharp attacking play and some defiant defensive work, ensured Rob Baxter’s side became the first side this season to complete the double over Jim Mallinder’s visitors.
Having won at Franklin’s Gardens back in November, the Chiefs produced arguably an even greater display in this latest outing to propel themselves back into the top four.
Full-back Phil Dollman collected a first half try alongside a penalty from Henry Slade and the latter was on hand to add the extras to a penalty try and two more penalties to ensure the victory.
In reply, backs James Wilson and Jamie Elliott claimed a try apiece in each half, but it was simply not enough to deny the rampant Chiefs.
With the hunt for a play-off place intensifying by the week, it was a powerful line-up again assembled by Baxter for the visit of the reigning champions.
Backs Dollman and Jack Nowell returned to the fray having missed Exeter’s European quarter-final win over Newcastle Falcons, while up front the pack – led by skipper Mumm on his 50th Premiership appearance for the club – was unchanged.
The Saints, meanwhile, arrived in the Westcountry licking their wounds following a 37-5 thumping by Clermont Auvergne in the Champions Cup.
An injury to England star Courtney Lawes meant Christian Day was recalled to the fold, whilst behind Kahn Fotuali’i was given the nod over Lee Dickson at scrum-half.
Early on and it was the Saints who held the upper hand in the initial skirmishes, using their powerhouse pack to try and position deep inside the Exeter 22. However, a stubborn Chiefs defence were having none of it, defending defiantly to thwart the visitors and their streams of attack.
Saints Nowell stdBaxter’s men duly turned defence into attack and with their first real foray into Northampton’s half, the home side broke the deadlock when Slade landed a lengthy penalty after Tomas Francis had dominated England and British Lions prop Alex Corbisiero on a Saints scrum.
Minutes later and the raucous Tribe were given more reason for cheer as the Chiefs claimed the game’s opening try. Strong running from the home pack – in particular Francis, Mitch Lees and Dave Ewers – saw them propel themselves to within touching distance of the Saints 22, where upon the ball was worked wide to Dollman.
Still with plenty to do – and a handful of colleagues outside him, two audacious dummies from the full-back saw him slice through the Saints defence and over in the right-hand corner for a try that Slade narrowly failed to convert.
It was just the start the Chiefs had craved, but they were somewhat hindered midway through the half when Aussie international Mumm was shown yellow for hauling down a Northampton meal just metres from his own line.
The Saints sensed they could make the most of the numerical advantage, but try as they may they continued to be met with a powerful ‘black wall’ of defence that refused to buckle.
Indeed, such was the ferocisity of the home defence, they again forced the visitors into a turnover on the Exeter 22 and it allowed Dollman to gobble up the loose ball and they race clear of the cover. In a sprint race to the line with James Wilson, the Welshman had the legs, but referee Wayne Barnes still wanted to check.
TV replays followed and it showed that Dollman had in fact knocked on in picking up the ball and the effort was chalked off.
Northampton duly replied at the other end, working their way through a string of phases deep behind enemy lines to set up Wilson for a decent finish in the right corner that went unconverted.
However, back roared the Chiefs immediately as Nowell’s scythed through the heart of the visiting midfield before offloading to Jess on the burst. The ‘Heamoor Flyer’ tore down the flank only to be felled by Luther Burrell, but the ensuing play saw the home side push for the line in numbers.
Northampton were scrambling in defence and their attempts to thwart Exeter were eventually deemed illegal as flanker Calum Clark became the latest to see yellow from Barnes.
Now with the man advantage, it was the Chiefs who were looking to turn the screw with a succession of scrums, three came and went, before Waldrom attempted to pick from the base.
Sadly, Exeter’s leading try-scorer could not hang onto the ball and a big opportunity again went begging.
Half time: Exeter Chiefs 8 Northampton Saints 5.
Read the full report here: http://exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/chiefs-21-saints-10/
