sports
Fin Smith’s last-gasp try breaks Exeter hearts and wins thriller for Northampton
Spring is here, the pitches are firming up and the playoff race is intensifying. As dramatic finishes go this was right up there, with both Northampton and Exeter sensing they had the game won at different moments. In the end the decisive thrust came from the Saints via a last-minute try from their England fly-half Fin Smith which kept the league leaders on track for a home semi-final.
TL;DR
- Fin Smith scored a last-minute try to give Northampton a dramatic win over Exeter.
- Exeter had taken a late lead with a try from Paul Brown-Bampoe and a conversion from Henry Slade.
- Exeter was reduced to 14 players late in the game due to a yellow card for Campbell Ridl.
- Henry Pollock had previously scored for the visitors, giving them a brief lead.
- Exeter started strongly, scoring early tries through Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Will Rigg.
- Northampton's Alex Mitchell and Ollie Sleightholme also scored tries for the Saints.
- Fin Smith converted Sleightholme's try to level the score at 14-14 before halftime.
- Injuries to Jack Yeandle and Ollie Woodburn were noted for Exeter.
- Rob Baxter, Exeter's director of rugby, expressed mixed emotions about the game.
- Phil Dowson, Northampton's director of rugby, praised his team's resilience.