And when Exeter became the latest to sense Northampton’s weakness, they were ruthless with three tries in the last quarter. A big Exeter scrum could not control the ball but Will Chudley gathered to dummy Courtney Lawes and chip over Ben Foden for a brilliant solo score. Penalty after penalty, and another yellow card – for Francois van Wyk – with 10 minutes to go, whereupon Northampton’s scrum held up better. No matter, Exeter resorted to their famed pick-and-go game, which yielded an umpteenth try for Thomas Waldrom all too easily. In the last minute, Exeter sent another penalty to the corner, and Yeandle barged his way through to the line.

Source: The Guardian December 23, 2017 17:55 UTC