Exeter overpower Northampton to reach Prem Cup final

English Prem Rugby Cup, semi-final

Exeter (17) 31

Tries: Hodge 2, Wimbush, Fisilau Cons: Skinner, Slade 3 Pen: Slade

Northampton (7) 14

A Josh Hodge-inspired Exeter Chiefs overpowered a toothless Northampton Saints at Sandy Park to go through to the Prem Rugby Cup final next weekend.

The Chiefs, looking to qualify for the final for the second year in a row, dominated first-half possession, scoring tries through Josh Hodge and Zack Wimbush, with Tom Litchfield responding for the Saints.

Both teams fielded strong sides in the damp, misty conditions, but it was the Chiefs struck first.

Tom Cairns sidestepped his way through the Northampton defence before feeding Hodge who outpaced George Hendy to run in untouched.

Exploiting their early scrum dominance, Saints quickly responded through Litchfield at close range before Zack Wimbush responded on the verge of half-time.

Bruised and battered from a first-half in which they lost Hendy to a nasty looking knee injury, Saints were soon pegged back even further.

Any hopes Saints had of making the final were then extinguished as the Chiefs’ scored again.

Following a knock-on inside the Chief’s 22, Henry Slade fed Ridl who powered upfield before finally being tackled by James Martin.

Ridl had the presence of mind to pop the ball up to the on-rushing Hodge, who had only jog through, much to the delight of the home support.

Ulcoq’s consolation score as time elapsed proved too little too late as the Chiefs’ deservedly advanced to the final.

The location of next Sunday’s decider is dependant upon the result of the other semi-final between Leicester Tigers and Bath.

Exeter Chiefs: Hodge; Brown-Bampoe, Slade, Wimbush, Woodburn; Skinner, Cairns; Goodrick-Clarke, Yeandle (c), Roots, Pearson, Tuima, Moloney, Worley Brady, Fisilau.

Replacements: Heaven, Burger, Mona, Bailey, Beckerleg, Chapman, Haydon-Wood, Ridl.

Northampton Saints: Hendy; Martin, Litchfield, Hutchinson, Ramm; Belleau, McParland; West, Walker, Green, Lockett, van der Mescht, Kemeny, Ulcoq, Chick (c).

Replacements: Langdon, Cowell, Davies-King, Munga, Benson, James, Thame, Caqusau.