Chiefs 16 Saints 17

Exeter Chiefs 16

Northampton Saints 17

Mark Stevens at Sandy Park

A bit like the battering the Westcountry has faced all week, it was only a matter of time before the defences of the Exeter Chiefs were finally breached.

With two minutes remaining at Sandy Park, Northampton Saints centre George Pisi crashed over for a crucial try - converted by Stephen Myler - to send the East Midlanders back to the summit of the Aviva Premiership.

Pisi's late intervention brought yet more heartache for Devon's finest as yet again they failed to finish off rivals ahead of them in the current standings.

An 11-point haul from fly-half Gareth Steenson, together with a second half try for Dave Lewis, looked as though it may be just enough for Rob Baxter's side, but the determined Saints never gave in and their late pressure brought rich rewards after first half tries from James Wilson and Samu Manoa.

Returning to Premiership action for the first time in a month - and after three successive victories in Cup competition - head coach Rob Baxter was able to field a powerful line-up for the visit of the travelling Saints. Skipper Dean Mumm and Dave Ewers both returned to the pack having sat out the previous week’s win at Worcester Warriors. Also back in the fold was centre Phil Dollman, who was given the nod ahead of Fijian international Sireli Naqelevuki.

The Saints, who themselves came into the game having joined the Chiefs, Bath and Saracens in the last four of the LV= Cup, also paraded a powerful array of talent, this despite five of their frontline stars being away with England in the Six Nations Championship in Scotland.

As expected the opening exchanges were largely dominated around the respective packs as both sets of forwards looked to gain the early dominance. Initially there was little to choose between either side, but the Saints were handed a boost when Aussie international Mumm was sent to the sin-bin by referee Greg Garner for illegal use of the boot at a ruck.

Although down a man, the Chiefs responded well and they broke the deadlock on ten minutes when fly-half Steenson fired over a sublime 35-metre penalty after Northampton prop Alex Waller was pulled up for a high tackle on the Irish playmaker.

Moments later and Steenson was afforded a second shot at the target, but wide on the right touchline and with a howling gale at his back, his shot at goal certainly had the distance, but not the direction as it drifted just wide of the near post.

Mumm returned to the fray from his spell in the cooler, but the Chiefs talisman could do little to deny the visitors from claiming the game’s opening try on 18 minutes. A bit like the battering the South West coastline has taken in recent days, so Northampton’s powerful pack did similar to the Chiefs defensive line as sustained pressure finally paid dividends when Kiwi full-back Wilson was able to dive over in the left-hand corner.

Worse could have followed for the Chiefs moments later when Sam Dickinson picked up from the base of a ruck to scamper clear of the home cover, thankfully Steenson and Luke Arscott were able to scramble back and deny the No.8 as he tore towards the home line.

Having survived the let-off, Baxter’s men turned defence into attack to good effect, creating another penalty chance wide on the right after the visitors were adjudged not to have released at the tackle. Again, though, Steenson’s testing kick was caught by the elements and the opportunity was lost as it went just wide of the mark once more.

The Chiefs, however, had the bit between their teeth and when afforded another chance, Steenson this time made no mistake drilling the ball between the sticks at the North End to restore his side’s slender lead.

No sooner had the home side edged back in front, but they preceded to allow the Saints to strike for a second time. Confusion at the restart involving both Kai Horstmann and Dave Lewis allowed the Saints to reclaim possession, working it quickly along the left touchline to the imposing Manoa who powered his way over for a second unconverted score.

A lively first period, though, was to finish with the Chiefs on top. A plethora of attacking waves saw them punch their way deep into the Saints 22 - where upon Steenson was again felled by another ugly high tackle, this time from Aussie prop Salesi Ma’afu. Although he was lucky to escape further punishment from referee Garner, Steenson slotted the resultant kick to leave just a point between the two at the interval.

HALF TIME EXETER CHIEFS 9 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 10

On the resumption the Chiefs quickly picked up from where they left off as they looked to attack from deep against the testing conditions. Early endeavour saw them make their way down field and when Lewis went to take a quick penalty, Saints replacement GJ Van Velze deliberately halted the Chiefs No.9 as he looked to break, it left Garner with little option but to flash yellow for a second time in the game.

Although the Saints did well for much of the South African’s enforced ten-minute stint on the sidelines, the home pressure was rising by the minute as they looked to press home their numerical advantage.

Centre Ian Whitten led the charge when he picked off Wilson’s pass on halfway to race clear of the Saints rearguard. Although cantering along at a rate of knots, the former Ulsterman didn’t quite have enough in the tank and the visitors were crucially able to scramble back to deny him.

That said, the home side were able to recycle the ball wide to the left as first Scaysbrook threatened, then back-row colleague Ewers thought he was over following another powerful Exeter shunt. Garner - as is the case these days - went upstairs to the TMO for clarification and the ruling went against the home side.

Although that try was chalked off, play was duly pulled back for an earlier offside from Northampton. The Chiefs went for broke as they opted for the corner and the decision duly paid off as a well-drilled line-out move enabled Lewis (pictured) to squirm over from close range for the try, which Steenson duly converted to give his side a six-point lead.

The Saints did their best to counter at the earliest opportunity and they fashioned a great opening for Ken Pisi - only for the Samoan to knock-on as he sped onto a pass from scrum-half Kahn Fotulai’i deep inside the Exeter 22.

Replacements were introduced from both camps, including Exeter's Luke Cowan-Dickie who was making his first-ever appearance in the top flight. The young Cornishman did well on his debut outing, replacing the lively Jack Yeandle, but it was up front that Northampton began to exert maximum pressure late on.

A sustained wave of attacks with ten minutes remaining was thwarted by some excellent Exeter defensive work, as well as the TMO Ashley Rowden who adjudged that one specific raid was inconclusive following a number of different viewings.

However, the Saints were not finished there. A succession of scrums brought a handful of penalties against the home side with just minutes remaining and although the Chiefs did momentarily clear the danger, back roared Jim Mallinder's men for yet more set-piece work after they snagged Haydn Thomas on his own line.

Yet more scrums ensued and although they failed to bring anything for the visitors, the recycled play did as on the third phase the Saints fashioned a move that allowed Pisi to collect and storm his way over the line with just under two minutes remaining. Myler banged over his one and only successful kick of the game to put his side back in front.

Even then there was still time for the Chiefs to summon one last hurrah in terms of attack. However, try as they may, conditions and a stubborn Saints resistance were to prove telling and the chance was lost to claim a notable scalp.

Chiefs: L Arscott; M Jess, I Whitten, P Dollman, T James; G Steenson, D Lewis (H Thomas 66); B Moon, J Yeandle (L Cowan-Dickie 61), A Brown (H Tui 52); D Mumm (capt, D Armand 66), D Welch; D Ewers, J Scaysbrook (T Johnson 52), K Horstmann. Replacements (not used): C Rimmer, H Slade, F Vainikolo.

Try - Lewis; Conversion - Steenson; Penalties - Steenson (3)

Yellow Card: Mumm

Saints: J Wilson; K Pisi, G Pisi, D Waldouck (W Hooley 67), J Elliott; S Myler, K Fotulai'i; A Waller (E Waller 69), M Haywood (R McMillan 77), S Ma'afu (G Denman 49); S Manoa, C Day (GJ Van Velze 31); C Clark, P Dowson (capt), S Dickinson. Replacements (not used): B Nutley, A Day, F Autagavia.

Tries - Wilson, Manoa, G Pisi

Yellow Card: Van Velze

Referee: G Garner

Attendance: 8,336

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Bath (H), Aviva Premiership, Saturday, February 15 (3.15pm)