Late Smith Try Secures Northampton Victory Over Exeter

In a thrilling encounter, England fly-half Fin Smith scored a last-minute try to give Northampton Saints a 35-28 win over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park. The match seemed destined for a draw after replacement winger Paul Brown-Bampoe scored a charge-down try in the 78th minute, but Smith's dummy allowed him to coast over the line and break Exeter's hearts. Northampton's director of rugby, Paul Dowson, praised his team's perseverance, saying, 'We stuck at it again in what was another proper game.' Exeter had started strongly, with England flyer Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scoring a try after just 82 seconds, and they doubled their lead five minutes later through centre Will Rigg. However, Northampton bounced back, with tries from Alex Mitchell and Ollie Sleightholme, and the teams were locked at 14-14 at half-time. The second half was cagey, but Exeter took the lead again through Campbell Ridl's try, only for Smith to seal the win for Northampton. Meanwhile, Santi Carreras inspired Bath to a 48-15 victory over Harlequins, running in two tries and kicking a conversion, while Leicester enhanced their Premiership Rugby charge with a 62-3 win over Newcastle, with Gabriel Hamer-Webb scoring five tries.