Exeter crush Northampton with second-half points rush

A RUN of 27 unanswered points in the second half gave Exeter their biggest Aviva Premiership victory of the season at Sandy Park to condemn Northampton to their sixth successive league defeat in the 30-9 performance.

The home side went in at half-time 9-3 down but hit back in emphatic fashion through tries from Tom Hayes, Sireli Naqelevuki and Tom Johnson.

Gareth Steenson finished with three conversions and as many penalties, while Saints failed to add to Stephen Myler's three first-half penalties.

Wasps coach Trevor Woodman was muted in his praise after his side edged out Sale Sharks 33-26 at Adams Park. Dave Walder kicked 23 of his side's points, with Riki Flutey and Joe Simpson crossing for second-half tries to keep at bay a Sale comeback after they had trailed 15-0 at half-time.

And Woodman said: "We are pleased with the win but the performance was a little bit mixed." Leeds revived their hopes of survival after a rousing fightback saw them dent London Irish's play-off chances at Headingley.

Irish had led 16-3 after 32 minutes but Leeds, for whom Hendre Fourie was simply magnificent, responded with tries from Luther Burrell, Daniel Browne and Mike MacDonald to turn the game on its head, 27-19. The win moves Neil Back's basement boys to within seven points of fellow strugglers Newcastle.