Exeter back in the hunt for the playoffs
Exeter Chiefs managed to bounce back from last weekend’s disaster away at Saracens, with a bonus point victory over Northampton, putting them up three positions in the Gallagher premiership.
On a cold and blustery afternoon at Sandy Park, it was a match where the Chiefs needed a result to keep play-off dreams at the forefront of their minds. Following last week’s discomfort in the premiership, the supporters were in serious need of jubilation, again.
The Chiefs fans didn’t have long to wait for a try however, as Sam Simmonds touched down within three minutes to bring much-needed joy around the ground.
The lead was then doubled as Exeter winger Olly Woodburn scored from a well worked attack which ended in the ball being placed on the try line. The confidence and tempo were inevitably much better than last week.
Before the break Luke Cowan Dickie was mauled over the line and this enabled the Chiefs to score their third try of the day.
Although there were some scrappy moments for both teams within the first half, with some instances looking like a game of tennis was being played. However, the Chiefs ensured they had a comfortable lead going into the break.
The half time score being Exeter 21 Northampton 0.
Northampton came out looking better but Exeter managed to get a crucial bonus point try thanks again to Luke Cowan Dickie. A reply from Northampton came almost instantly as Exeter’s strong defence made a slight error allowing a darting run to get the better of them.
The Saints managed to get a second try but that wasn’t enough to challenge Exeter’s five. This bonus point victory for the Chiefs lifted them from eighth to fifth place in the table. Meaning that Exeter is now only a point off third place Harlequins, which puts them in a more promising position despite a season with some woes.
Lineups:
Exeter: Hodge; Nowell, Slade, Kata, Woodburn; J Simmonds, S Maunder; Sio; Cowan-Dickie (capt), Williams, Jenkins, Dunne, Ewers, Tshiunza, S Simmonds.
Replacements: 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).
Replacements: Smith, Iyogun, Petch, Wilkins, Graham, Braley, Hutchinson, Collins.
Attendance: 8,250
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