Rory Hutchinson breaks Exeter Chiefs hearts with try at the death

Northampton Saints completed a magnificent 26 point comeback to end Exeter Chiefs’ 14-month unbeaten home run with a 42-36 win at Sandy Park.

A last gasp effort from Rory Hutchinson stole the win for the Saints, but other tries from George Furbank and Callum Braley and an brilliant Ollie Sleightholme hat trick were enough to move the visitors back to the top of the Premiership table.

Both teams needed a fast start in this top of the table clash, but it would be the home side who dominated the early exchanges as they secured the bonus point in just 20 minutes.

The afternoon’s first try came through Jacques Vermeulen, who dotted down after some powerful pick and go’s from the Chiefs pack.

The second would come from in-form winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. A floated pass from Harvey Skinner fell perfectly into his path, but he still needed to pull off an acrobatic finish in the corner for the try.

Feyi-Waboso’s effort was swiftly followed by another try as Stu Townsend strolled in unopposed. A clever short lineout saw Jack Yeandle charge down the wing, and the experienced hooker put it on a plate for the scrum-half, who made no mistake.

If this wasn’t enough for the Sandy Park faithful, Vermeulen would secure the all important try-bonus point as he powered over from short range.

With the game in danger of slipping away from the Saints, they needed to hit back-which they did.

Chiefs skipper Dafydd Jenkins would be sent to the bin for a high tackle on his opposing captain George Furbank; and the Saints took full advantage of the numerical advantage with two quick tries.

The first came directly from the penalty as they tapped and went, which allowed Callum Braley to sneak over from short range. His effort was swiftly followed by an Ollie Sleightholme try. A pinpoint kick from Furbank fell perfectly into the path of Tom Litchfield, who sent his wing partner Sleightholme over for the try.

Fin Smith would be on hand to add both conversions to make it 26-14 going into the half-time break.

It was a turgid start to the second-half. Kick-tennis took over, but neither team could gain the upper hand.

No sooner had Dafydd Jenkins returned to the field Henry Slade would be sent for a 10-minute breather. The England centre collided with his opposite number Odendaal, and the Saints were again up a man. Could they make the Chiefs pay for their ill-discipline?

They sure could, as Furbank was put through a gaping hole in the Chiefs defensive line to score, with Smith again slotting the conversion. The momentum was starting to shift towards the visitors now.

Saints would make the most of this growing momentum as they took the lead through Sleightholme. Clever work from Alex Mitchell around the ruck saw him scamper through the Chiefs line, and he connected with Sleightholme for the score.

This try brought the game back to life, with the leads exchanging hands twice in three minutes.

Chiefs thought they had scored through replacement Ross Vincent, but his effort was stricken off. Luckily for Rob Baxter’s men though they had the penalty advantage, and Henry Slade slotted the three pointer to make it 29-28.

They weren’t ahead for long though as Sleightholme completed his hat-trick. Powerful work in the pack drew the defence in, and then silky play in the backs got the ball out to the winger for his third. Smith was again on target from the tee and the Saints led by six.

In a reverse of the opening 40, it felt like the game was getting away from the home side as they couldn’t break through the stubborn Saints defence. A moment of magic was needed-step forward Rusi Tuima.

The young lock threw a lovely inside pass to Greg Fisilau, who broke through the line. Fisilau shifted the ball onto Tom Cairns, who in turn found Tuima to finish off the move. Slade’s conversion was good, and Exeter were ahead by one with just seven minutes left.

The drama didn’t end there though as Northampton snatched the win at the death. Short range plays from the Saints forwards drew in the Exeter defence, which allowed space for Rory Hutchinson to break Exeter hearts. Smith added his sixth conversion to end the game 42-36 to the visitors.

Exeter Chiefs: 36

Tries: Vermeulen (2), Feyi-Waboso, Townsend, Tuima 

Conversions: Slade (4/5)

Penalties: Slade (1/1)

Northampton Saints: 42

Tries: Braley, Sleightholme (3), Furbank, Hutchinson

Conversions: Smith (6/6)

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