Northampton grab dramatic late win at Exeter

Henry Pollock's try ensured a bonus-point for Northampton [Shutterstock] The Prem Exeter (14) 28 Tries: Feyi-Waboso, Rigg, Ridl, Brown-Bampoe Cons: Slade 4 Northampton (14) 35 Tries: Mitchell, Sleightholme, Furbank, Pollock, Smith Cons: Smith 5 Fin Smith's try with five seconds to go saw Prem leaders Northampton beat Exeter 35-28 at Sandy Park. Saints took advantage as Exeter finished the game with 14 men after two yellow cards to consolidate their place at the top of the table. Exeter led 14-7 after a breathless first 15 minutes as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Will Rigg's tries were pegged back by an Alex Mitchell score.

Northampton gradually imposed themselves on the game and finally levelled just before half-time through Ollie Sleightholme. Exeter's second-half pressure was finally rewarded when Campbell Ridl scored their third try with 21 minutes to go. The momentum changed moments later when Feyi-Waboso was sin-binned, and within a minute George Furbank had made it 21-21.

Saints had a try disallowed soon after following a late Television Match Official intervention, but when Ridl was sin-binned with eight minutes left, Exeter could not hold on as replacement Henry Pollock forced his way over against 13 men. But with three minutes left Paul Brown-Bampoe chased what appeared to be a lost cause as he charged down a kick and dotted down before Henry Slade got the conversion to level again. However, Smith dramatically won it late on just as it seemed there would be a second draw between the sides this season after a 33-33 scoreline on the opening weekend of the season .

It means Northampton will stay top of the table at the end of round of games, while Exeter remain fourth. More to follow. Exeter: Woodburn; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Rigg, Ridl; Skinner, Varney; Sio, Yeandle, Roots, Jenkins (capt), Zambonin, Hooper, Vintcent, Fisilau.