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

Tries: Litchfield, Ulcoq Cons: Belleau 2

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

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.

Greg Fisilau added a third as Saints toiled, with Hodge then grabbing his second after Campbell Ridl's perfectly timed offload before Charlie Ulcoq added a late consolation score for the away side.

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.

Will Goodrick-Clarke was barely prevented from breaking the whitewash from close range, before Fisilau spied a gap around the ruck to dive over for the Chiefs' third try.

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.

Having picked up fewer points than Leicester Tigers in the pool stage, Exeter will travel to Mattioli Woods Welford Road for Sunday's final, which kicks off at 15:30 GMT.

Exeter Chiefs' defence coach Haydn Thomas told BBC Radio Devon:

"I thought the boys put so much into it today, it was a really good start and it looked like we had so much energy and we got what we wanted out of the game.

"You can never feel comfortable playing against Saints, they can score lots of points very quickly.

"Credit to the boys, for the effort on both sides of the ball, when we had it we scored some good tries and when we didn't we worked hard to stop them from scoring."

Northampton Saints' head coach Sam Vesty told BBC Radio Northampton:

"It was disappointing to end in that manner – Exeter did what they did very well, but it was a step too far for us.

"(But overall) the group that have played in this competition for us have stepped up, gone beyond and we're in a much better place for having done well in the competition.

"It's a really good thing (because) it gives us extra options in the squad."

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.

Referee: George Selwood.