Northampton Saints coach Jim Mallinder: 'First half cost us'

Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder has admitted that his side's first-half performance cost them during Friday's defeat at home to Exeter Chiefs in the Aviva Premiership.

The Saints were beaten at Franklin's Gardens for the first time since March as they went down 24-18 to the high-flying Chiefs.

Despite Northampton fighting back in the second half, three tries for Exeter in the opening 40 minutes made it difficult for the hosts to recover.

"It was in the first half where the game was lost," Mallinder told the club's official website. "They came with a simple ball plan - to kick the ball and take their opportunities, and they did that very successfully.

"It was tricky out there; there's not a lot you can do with a wet ball. But some of our kicking wasn't brilliant. Generally we tried to play the ball in their half."

Northampton have the chance to get back to winning ways next Sunday when they travel to Saracens in the league.