Match action
A BIZARRE finish which saw Northampton race out to deny Exeter’s Joe Simmonds a shot at a possible match-winning conversion should not take the gloss off a stunning upset victory by the Saints.
An immense defensive effort which shackled Exeter’s powerhouse forwards and a hugely dominant scrum performance reaped a deserved reward.
The Saints took four of the eight Chiefs scrums against the head, soaked up wave after wave of forward pressure and survived the sin-binning of fly-half George Furbank to overcome the English and European champions.
Man-marking eradicated the threat of Exeter dangerman Sam Simmonds as Exeter failed to capitalise on a penalty edge which saw the visitors punished 15 times.
But, after Piers Francis kicked two penalties to put Northampton 13-7 ahead with eight minutes to go, it all came down to a disputed moment of confusion after Sam Skinner crossed in the right corner in the final minute.
Northampton, led by Ollie Sleightholme, raced out as Joe Simmonds lined up the kick. They reached the ball on the tee before Simmonds and kicked it into touch. Simmonds had stopped, presumably thinking Saints had infringed and he could try again.
But referee Christophe Ridley ruled that Exeter’s replacement fly-half had begun his run-up.
Saints goalkicker Francis said: “Fair play to the ref. I think Joe would admit he took a step and we were ready to put as much pressure on his kick as possible so it was the right call.
“It was an illustration of the never-say-die attitude we are trying to install into the team.”
There was no argument from Exeter boss Rob Baxter who said: “As far as I can tell, Joe moved and that is what you are allowed to do. I haven’t seen the footage but I’ve been told he moved so the referee made the right decision.”
Flanker Lewis Ludlam and hooker Sam Matavesi were outstanding for Northampton who were eager from the start, thwarting three early trademark Exeter lineout catch and drives
The Saints then demonstrated how to do it with Shaun Adendorff going over and Francis converting.
It was Northampton’s only excursion into the home 22 in the opening half hour as they were forced to defend valiantly.
Will Witty, Sam Simmonds, twice, and Alec Hepburn were all repelled before Witty knocked-on as he stretched for the line.
Northampton’s huge defensive effort wavered just once – and the moment of hesitation after they strayed offside cost them as Chiefs skipper Jack Yeandle, taking a tap penalty, exploited the gap to touch down and leave Harvey Skinner an easy conversion.
Only Sleightholme’s exceptional speed and outstretched foot denied Exeter a second try after Devoto latched on to a dropped Saints pass and kicked ahead.
After Northampton conceded two offside penalties near their own line, referee Ridley warned it would be third time unlucky and delivered on his threat by sin-binning Furbank.
Francis saw his first penalty hit a post but landed the next two as Northampton moved 13-7 ahead.
Exeter produced a final flourish with Sam Skinner stealing a Northampton lineout before diving over in the corner after good work by Scotland teammates Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Stuart Hogg – and it all came down to the conversion which never happened!