EXETER Chiefs claimed their first major trophy with a 15-8 defeat of Northampton Saints in the LV= Cup final at Sandy Park this afternoon.

Chris Whitehead touched down in the opening stages before Glenn Dickson and Henry Slade traded penalties to give Chiefs an 8-3 half-time lead.

Dean Mumm finished a slick Exeter move after the break - with Slade converting - only for Samu Manoa to get one back in the corner.

But their was no way back for Northampton as Chiefs showed all their resilience.

Rob Baxter's progressing side made their Premiership debut in 2010-11 and played in the Heineken Cup for the first time last season.