Late Smith Try Seals Thrilling Northampton Victory

In a heart-stopping finale, England fly-half Fin Smith scored a last-minute try to propel Northampton Saints to a 35-28 triumph over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday. The match seemed destined for a draw after replacement winger Paul Brown-Bampoe scored a charge-down try in the 78th minute, which was converted by Henry Slade. However, Smith's clever dummy allowed him to breeze over the line, shattering Chiefs' hopes and securing a vital win for the Premiership leaders. Northampton's director of rugby, Paul Dowson, praised his team's perseverance, saying, 'We stuck at it again in what was another proper game... We've got a lot of trust in our attacking system and we have that intent to go and try and score - and I think we're good at it.' The Saints' victory was a testament to their unwavering belief and unrelenting pressure. Exeter had begun the match with a dream start, scoring a try just 82 seconds in through England flyer Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. The hosts doubled their lead five minutes later, with centre Will Rigg finishing off a five-metre tap penalty, and Slade kicking the extras. Despite Northampton's initial struggles, they eventually found their footing, with George Hendy and Tom Litchfield combining to set up England scrum-half Alex Mitchell for a beautifully crafted try. The visitors' momentum continued, with Sleightholme crossing the whitewash just before half-time, leaving the teams locked at 14-14. The second half was marked by a cagey affair, until the Chiefs regained the lead just before the hour mark with Ridl's fifth Premiership try of the season. However, Northampton's determination ultimately paid off, as Smith's late try sealed a thrilling victory. Meanwhile, Bath reinforced their second place in the Premiership table with a resounding 48-15 win over Harlequins, while Leicester enhanced their charge with a thumping 62-3 victory over Newcastle.