Saints unravelled by Chiefs second-string
ROB Baxter admits Chiefs’ winning desire and determination surprises even him at times after his ‘reserves’ stuck a hefty boot into Northampton’s top four hopes.
Tom O’Flaherty’s try ten minutes from time put the finishing touches to a victory which looked doubtful when battling Saints fought back from an early 14-0 deficit to lead.
It condemned the hosts to a record sixth successive defeat at Franklin’s Gardens and unlikely to make the play-offs, while Exeter sit a good distance clear at the summit of the table.
Director of rugby Baxter made wholesale changes and Exeter were up against a strong Saints outfit. But the visitors still had too much in their locker for opponents who badly needed the four points to avoid drifting out of the play-off picture.
Baxter said: “Sometimes they even surprise me. I don’t know where they dig it out from. We just showed that dogged determination to play the way we know and the lads worked their socks off to get the win.
“I keep asking for more from them and they keep giving it me. The majority of the lads who played tonight and against Bristol know we are happy to bring them in and give them a chance if their form warrants it. O’Flaherty is one of those players and he was excellent tonight.
“There will be a lot of guys who will now play against Gloucester next up who know they will have to perform because if they don’t they are going to lose their place.”
Both sides stepped on the gas from the kick off, showing real desire to attack. But it was Chiefs who showed the more clinical finishing.
Saints full-back George Furbank’s early season form was rewarded with two England caps during the Six Nations by Eddie Jones, but hopes of impressing the watching head coach again began badly for him with two drops from high balls allowing Exeter to gain momentum, pressure and a brace of fine tries. Flanker Sean Lonsdale finished off the first, taking Gareth Steenson’s pass and charging through some less than convincing Saints tackling to score.
Steenson was soon adding a second conversion as Furbank’s non-stick hands presented Chiefs with another attacking opportunity. Wing O’Flaherty’s speed and silky running skills broke open the hosts’ defence and the ball was finally switched to flanker Jannes Kirsten to burst across the line.
Saints needed a swift response and they conjured a try from almost their first real assault on the Exeter line. It took plenty of huff and puff before lock David Ribbans decided if there was no way through the defence he needed to go over, diving high and reaching down to ground the ball.
The fightback continued two minutes before the break as a quick break through the middle saw hooker James Fish take Biggar’s short pass, apply the accelerator and then send the supporting Henry Taylor clear to finish. Biggar missed the conversion which would have levelled matters but Saints were back in the battle.
Ribbans was celebrating a second try two minutes into the second half. Chiefs’ defence was sliced apart by breaks from Rory Hutchinson and Biggar before Ribbans used his power to charge across the line.
Steenson kicked a penalty and Chiefs demonstrated just why they are red hot favourites to lift the title as their forwards took control. They drove towards the line before a long pass out wide stretched the defence and O’Flaherty stepped his way across from close range.