CHIEFS DRAW SHORT AGAINST TOP

Gallagher Premiership leaders Northampton Saints snatched victory at the death after a dogged fight with Exeter Chiefs in round 13 of the league at Sandy Park.

The deciding try came in the 80th minute when Fin Smith ran a support line on a Fraser Dingwall cut-through to score both the try and conversion to give his side the 28-35 win.

Chiefs set the pace as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored the match’s first try after just two minutes played. An offload from Olly Woodburn to his winger fooled the defence perfectly, Feyi-Waboso curling in-field from the five-metre channel to score. Henry Slade slotted the conversion for the full contingent of points.

There was adulation for the home crowd when just five minutes later, Will Rigg scored a second for Chiefs. Working off a tap-and-go five metres out, the barnstorming centre rode the tackle to force his way through contact to stretch an arm out for the line. His centre partner Slade dutifully added the conversion.

There was a humungous try-saving tackle from Campbell Ridl on Ollie Sleightholme a minute later. The Chiefs’ winger tracked back with pace, reeling in his opponent before striking a couple of metres from the line.

Saints did ultimately manage to score their first just before 15 minutes though. Ridl was sucked out of the defensive line, allowing Tom Litchfield to break up the touchline, finding Alex Mitchell with a pass just shy of the line. Smith stepped up to convert the try scored by his half-back partner.

Chiefs’ on-field leadership took a knock before a half-hour played when club captain Jack Yeandle had to be helped from the field. The hooker had caught his foot wrong at a ruck, and Chiefs will now await a full medical assessment.

Dogged defensive work held Saints scoreless until two minutes into the red of the first half. Sleightholme this time managing to find the try-line rather than the touchline, and Smith’s difficult conversion slicing the uprights brought the two sides level at the break.

Both defences held strong for the first 20 minutes of the second half before Ridl was able to break through on the hour. The whole score was set up by a beautifully carved line from replacement Will Haydon-Wood as he broke through the centre-field. Quick recycles found Ridl with his try quickly converted by Slade.

Chiefs fell upon tough times shortly following, reduced to 13 men at one point and conceding two tries in the immediate aftermath of each card.

Feyi-Waboso was the first man sent to the sin-bin before Ridl was also shown a yellow, both for cynical play in the lead-up to potential scores for the Saints men.

Captain George Furbank was the first to capitalise, beating Tom Hooper in chasing down a chip kick to give Smith a try to convert. Then replacement Henry Pollock, trademark celebration and all, battered over for the bonus-point clinching score.

Paul Brown-Bampoe, returning to the field having been ruled out of last weekend’s European quarter-final late on, secured a try bonus-point for Chiefs with three minutes left.

Charging down Tom Litchfield five metres out from the line, the winger pounced upon the loose ball to secure five points which Slade soon made seven.

There was to be heartbreak for the home crowd however. Fraser Dingwall cut through and was away, with Smith in support. So, with the clock in the red, the Saints fly-half scored and converted the try which saw his side snatch the win.

Chiefs are in fourth position with 47 points after 13 rounds. Top are Northampton Saints with 57, closely with Bath Rugby on 56, Leicester Tigers are third with 51 points.

Just below Exeter are Bristol Bears on 43, Saracens in sixth with 38 points.

Next up is an away trip to Kingsholm home of Gloucester Rugby next Sunday afternoon at 3.30pm