Bok hopeful crowned Prem champion as Hendy double seals the deal

MATCH REPORT: Northampton were crowned Gallagher PREM champions with a 26-17 victory over Exeter at Allianz Stadium that was finally decided by George Hendy’s quickfire try double.

Springbok hopeful JJ van der Mescht came off the bench in the 53rd minute and helped tighten things up as the Saints imposed their physical dominance on the Chiefs at a crucial period in the match.

Saints wasted chance after chance, and with the Chiefs giving everything to stay in the fight, they looked in danger of missing out on a second league triumph in three seasons.

But trailing 14-17, they hit back in a decisive final quarter through Hendy, and two minutes later the wing was over for his second as Northampton eventually found the finishing touch that has become their calling card.

Exeter were more comfortable amid the pressure of a Final that was played at a frantic pace and defended as if their lives depended on it, while also contending with a misfiring line-out and creaky scrum.

But Saints’ class told in the closing stages, and they also had to cope with the exit of in-form scrumhalf Archie McParland to injury after just 11 minutes, ushering Alex Mitchell on to the pitch.

Victory cements Northampton’s place as the dominant force in English club rugby of the mid 2020s and comes after they finished the regular season at the top of the table with their swashbuckling style.

Boxing ring announcer David Diamante delivered his call to action as the game kicked off, and the rivals responded with a fast and furious start that featured a host of mistakes.

It was errors that led to the opening two tries, beginning with a mix-up between Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Olly Woodburn over a McParland kick that enabled Tommy Freeman to score.

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Freeman was then at fault through a speculative pass that was grabbed by Len Ikitau, and a pass later, Campbell Ridl showed his gas to score.

McParland and Exeter hooker Max Norey limped off, but there was no let-up in the pace, with composure at the crucial moments stopping chances being taken at both ends.

Ethan Roots produced a thunderous tackle on Fin Smith, but in the 32nd minute the England fly-half took his revenge by diving over after Alex Coles’ storming break had propelled Northampton on to the front foot.

Exeter responded on the brink of half-time when a line-out throw failed to find its intended jumper, instead falling to Josh Iosefa-Scott, who rampaged through for a try.

Committed defending kept Saints out as they probed dangerously, and a tight contest produced an important moment when Josh Kemeny was sent to the sin-bin for making head contact with Dafydd Jenkins.

When play resumed, Jenkins punished Northampton by rounding off an attack, and Exeter led for the first time, but the Wales second row was then shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle.

Mitchell lost control of the ball while in the act of scoring in another costly mistake as opportunities continued to pass the Saints by, but they finally pounced in the 65th minute when Hendy finished in the right corner after an attack from deep.

Smith then grubbered ahead for Hendy to claim his second, and Northampton were over the line as worthy 2026 Prem champions.

Scorers:

For Northampton Saints:
Tries: Freeman, Smith, Hendy 2
Cons: Smith 3

For Exeter Chiefs:
Tries: Ridl, Iosefa-Scott, Jenkins
Con: Slade

Yellow cards: Josh Kemeny (Northampton Saints, 50′), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs, 56′)

Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank (captain), 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Tom Litchfield, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 George Hendy, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Archie McParland, 8 Henry Pollock, 7 Tom Pearson, 6 Josh Kemeny, 5 Ed Prowse, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Elliot Millar Mills, 2 Curtis Langdon, 1 Emmanuel Iyogun
Replacements: 16 Craig Wright, 17 Danilo Fischetti,18 Luke Green, 19 JJ Van Der Mescht, 20 Tom Lockett, 21 Callum Chick, 22 Alex Mitchell, 23 Fraser Dingwall

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Olly Woodburn, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Campbell Ridl, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Greg Fisilau, 7 Ethan Roots, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Dafydd Jenkins (captain), 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 2 Max Norey, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Ethan Burger, 18 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19 Christ Tshiunza, 20 Ross Vintcent, 21 Kane James, 22 Tom Cairns, 23 Will Haydon-Wood.

Referee: Matthew Carley
Assistant referees: Adam Leal, Anthony Woodthorpe
TMO: Ian Tempest