Match Centre: Exeter Chiefs 35-12 Northampton Saints

Exeter Chiefs 35-12 Northampton Saints, Sandy Park

Luke Cowan-Dickie scored a double as Exeter Chiefs returned back to winning ways following a 35-12 victory over Northampton Saints in the 15th round of the Gallagher Premiership at Sandy Park on Saturday.

It took Exeter just two minutes to get their first points as Sam Simmonds dived over after a line out drive and his brother Joe Simmonds kicked the conversion to make it 7-0.

The Chiefs extended the lead further as Exeter seized the possession from the Saints before Josh Hodge was held before the line but eventually they recycled and allowed Olly Woodburn to touchdown and once again Simmonds got the extras right to make it 14-0.

It was also Woodburn's 50th Premiership try. Exeter's third try came before the break as Cowan-Dickie was forced over for the Chiefs' third try after Solomone Kata had been tackled in the air and they set out a line out drive. Simmonds kicked his third conversion as Rob Baxter's men completed the opening half with a 21-0 lead.

The bonus point for Exeter came immediately after the break as Cowan-Dickie completed his second after a quick tap penalty and Simmonds got his fourth conversion to perfection to make it 28-0.

With Fraser Dingwall and Henry Slade exchanging tries, Exeter maintained a 35-7 lead by the end of the third quarter before Matty Proctor broke through a soft tackle to score unopposed with 15 minutes left for a consolation try for Saints.

Team line up:

Exeter: Hodge; Nowell, Slade, Kata, Woodburn; J Simmonds, S Maunder; Sio; Cowan-Dickie (capt), Williams, Jenkins, Dunne, Ewers, Tshiunza, S Simmonds.

Reserves: Yeandle, Kenny, Iosefa-Scott, van Heerden, Fisilau, J Maunder, Skinner, O'Loughlin.

Northampton: Freeman; Ramm, Proctor, Dingwall, Skosan; Furbank, Mitchell; Waller, Haywood, Hill, Coles, Moon, Salakaia-Loto, Scott-Young, Ludlam (capt).

Reserves: Smith, Iyogun, Petch, Wilkins, Graham, Braley, Hutchinson, Collins.