Joe Simmonds converted Thomas Waldrom’s last-minute try to cap a dramatic comeback from Exeter, who rallied from 13 points down to edge out Northampton 31-30 at Sandy Park.
The Chiefs were staring at a fourth consecutive league defeat when they trailed 30-17 with 10 minutes remaining but Don Armand and then Waldrom touched down. Simmonds kept his cool to add the extras to both tries to secure a nail-biting win and one that took the defending champions above Saracens to the top of the table.
Alec Hepburn was Exeter’s other try-scorer. There was also a penalty try award, while Gareth Steenson kicked a penalty and a conversion. Rob Horne, Ben Foden and Harry Mallinder scored Northampton’s tries, all of which Piers Francis converted. Francis, with two, and Stephen Myler both added penalties.
Sinoti Sinoti celebrated his new contract by scoring Newcastle’s fourth and final try in a 28-10 win over Harlequins, their first league victory at the Stoop for almost 18 years.
There was nothing to separate the sides at half-time as an early James Horwill try was cancelled out by Callum Chick at the other end. But shortly after the restart, Kyle Cooper and Chris Harris went over in quick succession for the visitors before Sinoti followed them over the try line, completing a first league victory in south-west London since September 2000.
Zach Mercer’s late try and a nerveless conversion from James Wilson clinched a 33-32 home victory for Bath against Sale.
The home side had trailed for much of the contest and were six points down in the final minutes before the blindside flanker Mercer struck for his brace. After more than 20 phases of attack and quick hands from Ben Tapuai, Mercer dummied over in the 78th minute to make it 32-31 to the visitors.
Wilson was starting his first match at fly-half for Bath because of injuries and his crucial conversion was by no means simple, but he held his nerve to slot his seventh goal of the game.
Jimmy Gopperth kicked a last-gasp conversion to land a 25-25 draw for Wasps against Gloucester.
The match seemed to be swinging Gloucester’s way as they led 18-6 at half-time through tries from Richard Hibbard and Charlie Sharples, with Billy Twelvetrees adding two penalties and a conversion. The centre Gopperth kicked two penalties during that period but Wasps hit back to level through tries from Dan Robson and Thomas Young, Gopperth converting one.
Henry Trinder’s try, converted by Twelvetrees, nudged Gloucester back ahead. But Christian Wade raced over for the crucial third try for Wasps which gave Gopperth his late conversion chance.