The champions’ defence is back on the rails. Northampton could hardly describe themselves as at their best here, but they were worth a win that was more comfortable than the mandatory final-quarter comeback by the Chiefs might have suggested.
Exeter are a young side whose rebuilding phase proved more impressive than expected last season, but they do look what they are – a talented group still unfamiliar with the challenges of the Premiership and each other. That comeback from 30-10, though, for a losing bonus point will encourage them.
For the Saints, this was more like business as usual, even if they have lost a huge amount of experience themselves. Fin Smith was confident and in control throughout, his kicking and playmaking becoming ever more compelling a proposition for England, let alone this champion club.
Phil Dowson identified relief as the overriding emotion after his side’s first victory since that triumphant day in June. To say they set the game alight would be an exaggeration, but they certainly dominated, without quite convincing they were obviously superior.
They hit their sweetest note of the first half inside the first 10 minutes. From a lineout to the tail, Curtis Langdon released Juarno Augustus through a gap in Exeter’s midfield. The No 8 had options inside and out and did not panic, choosing to pass to Alex Coles from out of the tackle. Coles ran in for the game’s opening score.
Two penalties from Smith, the first from 50 metres on an angle after Christ Tshiunza caught George Furbank a little high, the second from the dominant Saints scrum, opened up a 13-0 lead for the home side inside the first half hour. There had been other moments for the Saints, the best involving James Ramm down the left flank, the one he was not lining up to play on, but Saints’ finishing skills eluded them.
Steve Diamond admitted his Newcastle side struggled to cope with "world-class" Marcus Smith after the England fly-half produced another quality performance in Harlequins' 28-14 victory at the Twickenham Stoop.
Smith kicked eight points to drive Quins forward after they had fallen behind to an early John Hawkins try, with scores from Nathan Jibulu, Will Evans, Leigh Halfpenny and Will Porter leading them to a comfortable victory.
Diamond thought Smith, who was starting his first game for Quins since returning from his touring exploits with England in New Zealand, made the biggest difference between his visitors getting any reward for their exerts and leaving empty-handed.
The Falcons' director of rugby said: "Smith is a class player who looks cool. Every time he gets the ball he's never under pressure, conducted everything and is a world-class player."
Quins head coach, Danny Wilson, also reserved special praise for his star No 10, saying: "I've just told Marcus that was his pre-season friendly because he's not been able to put the Quins jersey and boots on for a while. He's had a long lay-off so to come back and be as influential as he was is testament to the man."
The former Wales star Halfpenny was also outstanding on his home debut for Quins since being recruited in the summer following his spell in Super Rugby with Crusaders. The 35-year-old full-back, who is playing for his fifth team in four different leagues, looks to be a useful addition to the squad, with Wilson saying: "He is so tough and brings so much to the club with his vast experience, knowledge and skill set."
Newcastle last savoured Premiership victory 554 days ago, but Diamond remains optimistic his side can eventually put that dismal record straight. He said: "It could have been a cricket score at one stage and the lads did really well to keep it tight and almost get right back into things. At least we put up a good performance and we will get that win which is being elusive up to now. Quins are a good side and they were better than us on the day, but the spirit is strong amongst the lads." PA Media
The Chiefs had their moments too. Perhaps Ramm was loitering on the left to escape the muscular Paul Brown-Bampoe on Exeter’s own left flank. He went on a couple of runs from deep, without ever quite looking confident he would score, and one burst of interplay between Ross Vintcent and Dan Frost hinted at Exeter’s threat.
This was finally consummated five minutes from the break, when Harvey Skinner took advantage of the threat of the lurking Brown-Bampoe to sell a dummy and cut clean through Northampton’s midfield. His inside ball sent Olly Woodburn, starting at centre for the first time, cantering to the posts.
An even longer penalty kick than Smith’s by Josh Hodge, this one from halfway, 15 metres in, brought the Chiefs to within three a couple of minutes into the second half. But Northampton clinched the game with a pair of tries within the next five minutes.
Sam Maunder, at scrum-half, was making his first appearance in 18 months after injury, but his clearance kick from deep in his own 22 was charged down by Chunya Munga. The lock easily regathered for a short stroll to the line.
If that was the down-and-dirty Saints, their third was more imperious, based on two pinpoint cross-kicks by two of the multiple playmakers in their back line. Smith supplied the first, which set Ramm free, on the right flank this time, who cut inside. When the ball was recycled, Furbank stepped up, the new club captain sending over a beauty to the left, where Rory Hutchinson scored out wide. Smith’s touchline conversion was one thing, but his drop goal from 40 metres on the hour another again. And so that 30-10 lead was established.
That would normally be considered that, but this is the Premiership – and the Era of the Comeback. Sure enough, Exeter played more in the final quarter than they had in the first hour. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was not enjoying himself much, marked out the game, but he finished smartly for a pair of tries, the first with 10 minutes to go, after one Exeter raid.
Then during a 20-phase attack by the Chiefs, Hutchinson thought he had successfully stripped the ball from Woodburn, but the television match official decided his shoulder had clashed with Woodburn’s head. The latter’s low posture spared Hutchinson the latest red, but he was sent to the sin-bin. From the scrummed penalty, Will Haydon-Wood’s long ball put Feyi-Waboso over for his second.
Hodge’s conversion from out wide earned Exeter a losing bonus point. But to deny the champions on their own patch in the final two minutes would prove too much.
