London--New Zealand-born back-row Thomas Waldrom was the toast of Exeter on Sunday as he took his try tally for the season to 16 with a double in a hard-fought 24-20 win away to Saracens that kept his side's hopes of a place in the English Premuership play-offs alive.
Only the top four sides at next week's end of the regular season will qualify for the play-offs, where two semi-finals and a final will determine the champions of England.
Exeter's victory left the south-west side in fourth place but level on points with Saracens, who were beaten in last season's final by current table-toppers Northampton.
Sunday saw the 32-year-old Waldrom, who won the last of his five England caps in 2013, underline his position as the Premiership's leading try-scorer this season.
Luke Cowan-Dickie also crossed for Exeter, with Gareth Steenson converting all three tries and kicking a penalty as well.
Saracens scored two tries courtesy of Chris Ashton and Chris Wyles with former England fly-half Charlie Hodgson converting both efforts. Current England international Owen Farrell and Hodgson each kicked a penalty.
Such was the quality of Waldrom's latest display, Exeter coach Rob Baxter said he was worth considering for a recall to the Test squad ahead of this year's World Cup in England.
AFP
