Northampton Saints moved top of the Gallagher Premiership after coming from 26-0 down to beat Exeter Chiefs in a thriller at Sandy Park. The Chiefs flew out of the gates and established what appeared to be an unassailable lead, securing the try-scoring bonus point within 25 minutes. But The Saints hit back through an Ollie Sleightholme hat-trick and scored a last-minute try to win 42-36.
Northampton Saints came from 26-0 down and scored a last-minute try to beat Exeter Chiefs 42-36 in a thrilling Gallagher Premiership Rugby game at Sandy Park.
The Chiefs ran riot in the first 25 minutes, wrapping up the try-scoring bonus point before the visitors responded in emphatic style.
Ollie Sleightholme scored a hat-trick to give Northampton the lead with 15 minutes remaining before Rory Hutchinson went over with the clock in the red after Rus Tuima had edged Exeter back ahead.
The victory was the first for an away side at Sandy Park in more than a year and moved Northampton back into top spot ahead of Harlequins, while The Chiefs picked up two losing bonus points to stay third.
Renowned as fast starters, Jacques Vermeulen opened the scoring for Exeter in the sixth minute, which kick-started a period of 26 unanswered points in 25 minutes.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso continued his fine run of form to notch The Chiefs’ second before Stu Townsend touched down and Vermeulen added his second.
But yellow cards either side of the break for the hosts – first for Dafydd Jenkins and then for Henry Slade – aided The Saints’ cause and they made their numerical advantage count, reducing their arrears to 26-14 at half-time after a Callum Braley try quickly followed up Sleightholme’s first.
George Furbank, who recently signed a contract extension, scored in the 54th minute before Sleightholme completed his hat-trick to put Northampton 35-29 ahead with less than a quarter of the game to play.
There was more drama when Tuima’s converted try put Exeter back in front but Hutchinson ensured it would be remembered as one of the great comebacks when he scored in the 81st minute.
– – –
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing, NBA and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media
