Chiefs refuse to crumble as they capture bonus against Saints

It represented an impressive recovery following the Chiefs' 40-13 drubbing by Harlequins seven days earlier.

Tries from Luke Arscott and former Northampton prop Chris Budgen took the Chiefs into losing bonus point territory.

"Northampton had the game pretty much sewn up, eased off a little bit for whatever reason, made a few changes and took off some key personnel," said Exeter head coach Rob Baxter.

"That was the time of the game we had to push hard to try and get something out of the game, and we did. Some teams have completely crumbled in the face of Northampton's scrum this season, but we certainly didn't.

"The bonus point is massively important for us, but the way we learnt this week about managing the game was so much more important.

"To come away from home to a difficult place to play, if you are in bonus-point territory, you have always got a chance of winning the game, so that was a nice place to be in the last few minutes of the game."

Quins claimed a 23-12 verdict over Newcastle at the Twickenham Stoop, leaving the Falcons just four points above Leeds.

Quins rugby director Conor O'Shea said: "We did not play brilliantly, but the Premiership is about dogging out some games, doing your job and getting the victory. That's what we did.

"We played well enough in the opening three games without getting the results, but now confidence is climbing."

Newcastle rugby director Alan Tait backed his players. He said:"We were outstanding in one of our best performances of the season.

"Just little things that were done by young players let us down, but they will learn fast because you get no mercy at this level.

"Concentration is the key to Premiership rugby, and for spells we defended superbly and frustrated Harlequins' best efforts.

"I was surprised by the penalty try because I felt we'd been as steady as a rock all match.

"Then we have an England Saxon sin-binned and are hit with seven points. It turned the game. But I am proud of this performance."

For all Quins' possession and pressure, Newcastle threatened to pinch a win which would have made nonsense of all that had gone before.

Quins still concede cheap penalties, and with referee Chris White in the middle that guarantees conceding points, particularly when the opposition fly-half is as accurate a goal-kicker as Jimmy Gopperth, who kicked four goals.

But Quins are armed with world-class former All Black Nick Evans, whose kicking prowess is a major weapon.

Evans kicked three penalties and converted the 45th-minute penalty try and the match-winning strike by flanker Tom Guest four minutes from time.