Exeter Chiefs dent Northampton's play-off hope with 22-19 win

Northampton Saints 19-22 Exeter Chiefs, Franklin's Gardens
Scorecard

Tom O'Flaherty scored the decisive try in the 71st minute as Exeter Chiefs edged out Northampton Saints 19-22 in the 18th round of the Gallagher Premiership at Franklin's Gardens on Friday.

The result as ended Northampton's bid to reach the semi-final as they are struck at sixth place with 41 points while Exeter have inched closer in securing a home play-off with their sixth consecutive win.

Rob Baxter's men got off to a fantastic start with O'Flaherty racing into Northampton's territory sending Sean Lonsdale over the line in the eighth minute and four minutes later Phil Dollman set up Jannes Kirsten. Gareth Steenson kicked both the conversion as the visitors raced to a 14-point lead.

The Saints responded back strongly in the 29th minute when David Ribbans dotted down in the 29th minute and at the stroke of half-time they had their second try when Dan Biggar sent James Fish in the gap and eventually allowed Henry Taylor over the line. Biggar missed the conversion on the second try as the teams finished the opening half with a 12-14 scoreline.

Northampton extended their momentum into the second half with Ribbans breaching the defence of Exeter for the second time and with Biggar improving the scoreline became 19-14.

However, the table toppers dominated the possession in most of the second half with Steenson's penalty kick in the 56th minute bringing the deficit down to two points before O'Flaherty's try in the 71st minute ensuring Exeter completed a three-point victory.