Northampton impress in bonus-point win over Exeter

Tommy Freeman's early try for Northampton set the tone for the game

Northampton:(17) 34
Tries: Freeman, Langdon, Mitchell, Dingwall Cons: Smith 4 Pens: Smith 2
Exeter: (5) 19
Tries: Vermeulen, Sio, Roots Cons: Slade 2

Northampton leapfrogged 14-man Exeter into fourth place in the Premiership after a dominant 34-19 home victory.

Jacques Vermeulen got a try back before the break despite Saints' dominance.

Alex Mitchell extended Saints' lead before Scott Sio replied, but Exeter had Niall Armstrong sent off for dangerous play on 68 minutes and Fraser Dingwall scored the bonus-point try.

Ethan Roots got a late consolation score for Exeter, but their 10th successive Premiership defeat away from Sandy Park leaves them in fifth place after five rounds of matches.

More to follow.

Northampton: Hendy; Freeman, Dingwall (capt), Hutchinson, Seabrook; Smith, Mitchell; A Waller, Langdon, Hill, Moon, Munga, Lawes, Scott-Young, Graham.

Replacements: Matavesi, E Waller, Davison, Coles, Pearson, James, Litchfield, Sleightholme.

Exeter: Wyatt; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Hawkins, Hammersley; Skinner, Cairns; Abuladze, Frost, Iosefa-Scot, Jenkins (capt), Pearson, Roots, Vermeulen, Vintcent.

Replacements: Yeandle, Sio, Painter, Tuima, Davis, Armstrong, Haydon-Wood, Hendrickson.

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys

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