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Chiefs return to winning ways in thriller
By Matthew Scott
Premiership leaders Exeter Chiefs returned to winning ways on Saturday, sneaking past Northampton Saints 31-30 at Sandy Park thanks to Thomas Waldrom's last-minute try.
Rob Baxter's men came into the contest nursing three-consecutive defeats and had looked set for a fourth with Northampton enjoying a 13-point advantage with 10 minutes to play.
However, Don Armand ran in from 15 yards to cut the gap to six and Exeter were soon laying siege to the Saints line, seeing a possible penalty try ruled a five-metre line-out, from which Waldrom bundled over next to the posts, giving Joe Simmonds a simple task of securing victory.
Exeter's closest rivals in action on Saturday were Wasps, who played out the first Premiership draw of the season at Gloucester, with more late drama to be found at Kingsholm.
Eleven points from the boot of Billy Twelvetrees looked like a winning haul, until Christian Wade touched down and Jimmy Gopperth's nerveless conversion - the last touch of the match - ensured the spoils were shared at 25-25.
It was another tight affair at the Rec, where Bath beat Sale Sharks 33-32, but they remain in fifth after Newcastle Falcons left Harlequins with a 28-10 win.
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Latest Comments
It's the same criticism of Dmac and Mo'unga as well. Sadly the way the game has been heading recently it's the only way to break down a defence, and a player of Lawrences nature would have a very limited chance at doing that because he's too one dimensional.
Noah Lolesio is your sort of player and that worked OK, but only because his team is far more creative than Englands for example. The highly organized Irish attack was also another that didn't require much from the 10, but that is now changing with Prendergast who is in that league mold like the most new age 10's.
So it is in fact your two which would require even more change to make the most of than Marcus Smith.
Go to commentsThe Stormers sloppiness show that they are a poorly coached side. Fortunately for them, so are the Sharks.
There are tougher opponents waiting and they will be punished heavily unless the coaching improves dramatically.
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