Exeter 30 - 9 Northampton Saints
Exeter Chiefs routed Northampton Saints to record their biggest win of the season on Sunday afternoon and at the same time, condemn the visitors to the sixth successive Aviva Premiership defeat. The Chiefs continue to produce what some would call shock results as they glide away from relegation whilst the Saints continue to slide and find themselves in 6th position after this result.
The Saints made the long trip down to Sandy Park looking to end their horrific run of form and they started well, taking the lead as early as the 5th minute through a Stephen Myler penalty after Exeter were found guilty of standing up in the scrum. Exeter 0-3 Northampton
The home side were level just four minutes later though as Brett Sharman was guilty of not rolling away, Gareth Steenson slotted over the penalty. Exeter 3-3 Northampton. The two fly halves were engaged in their own private battle and Myler took the lead on 15 minutes, converting another penalty from an Exeter offside. Exeter 3-6 Northampton
The Saints were putting in a much more impressive performance than in recent weeks against Bath and Gloucester and were pressurising the home side at every opportunity. And with the last kick of the first half Exeter winger Phil Dollman was penalised for holding on in front of the posts and Myler easily slotted the ball over to give the visitors a 9-3 advantage at the break. Exeter 3-9 Northampton
Within five minutes of the second half, the gap was reduced back to three points, Northampton were caught offside and Steenson coolly put over the penalty. Exeter 6-9 Northampton. Unbelievable though, the Saints did not learn their lesson and committed the same offence just five minutes later. Steenson had his range sorted and the scores were level at 9-9 after 50 minutes. Exeter 9-9 Northampton
The game was moving in stages of five minutes and on 55 minutes, Exeter grabbed their first try. Constant pressure was met by resilient away defence until the home side worked the position well to send Tom Hayes over in the corner. Steenson predictably converted to give Exeter a seven point lead. Exeter 16-9 Northampton
The home side had barely finished celebrating their first try when, straight from the restart, they had their second. The Chiefs managed to get hold of the restart kick and work the ball well enough to send Sireli Naqelevuki racing away into the same corner where Hayes had scored. Steenson wasn't missing with the boot either and converted well. Exeter 23-9 Northampton
Northampton were visibly shaken having hardly had any possession and having had the game ripped away from them. With just twelve minutes left on the clock, the Chiefs wrapped up the game in style. Bruce Reihana had the ball ripped from him as he attacked the Exeter defence and second row Tom Johnson sprinted 60 metres to finish off the Saints' hopes for good. Steenson, who had been magnificent all afternoon, converted the try to hand Exeter a comfortable 30-9 victory over their shell-shocked visitors. Exeter 30-9 Northampton
Thoughts: This was very much Exeter's day as they managed to turn round a disappointing first half and a six point deficit to record their most emphatic win of the season. Head coach Rob Baxter will be delighted that his side continue to take high profile scalps even though they should be safe from relegation. Northampton's story continues to be predictable and they look unlikely to turn around their nose-diving season until their internationals return. Jim Mallinder says he is not looking for improving results at the moment, just an improved performance. A sign of just how bad things are getting for the stagnating Saints.
Exeter:
Tries: Hayes, Naqelevuki, Johnson
Conversions: Steenson (3)
Penalties: Steenson (3)
Drop-goals: None
Northampton:
Tries: None
Conversions: None
Penalties: Myler (3)
Drop-goals: None
