Chiefs grind out a victory

This wasn’t the vintage, high-octane rugby we’ve seen at other times this season from Exeter Chiefs, but nevertheless the five precious points Rob Baxter’s side picked up were celebrated just as much, if not better.

Devon’s finest ground out their 11th league win of the season against a gutsy Newcastle Falcons outfit who, for at least an hour at Sandy Park, matched their higher-placed rivals toe-to-toe.

In the end, the Chiefs had just too much in their attacking arsenal for Dean Richards’ side and netted another maximum haul courtesy of Elvis Taione’s late score.

Further touchdowns from Thomas Waldrom, Phil Dollman and Sam Hill helped put the seal on a victory that was topped off by Gareth Steenson, whose 12-point haul saw him eclipse Tony Yapp’s all-time league points-scoring record of 1,526.

It’s a remarkable achievement for the Dungannon-born marksman, who will be looking to add to his tally against visiting Northampton Saints next Sunday.

Before that fixture, however, the Chiefs will take some much-needed rest after this physical encounter and review a display that saw them ship converted tries to Sonatane Takulua and Nili Latu, as well as a first half penalty from Newcastle’s returning fly-half Mike Delany. Looking for a response following their defeat to Leicester Tigers last time out, Baxter made a handful of changes to his starting XV.

Up front, Jack Yeandle, Harry Williams, Lewis Stevenson and Waldrom all returned to the fray, while behind there were also starts for Will Chudley, Olly Woodburn and Henry Slade. For England star Slade, it was his first taste of competitive action since he broke a leg and damaged ankle ligaments in the away win against Wasps at the start of December.

His return, albeit sooner than many expected, was warmly welcomed by all four corners of Sandy Park. The Falcons, meanwhile, also made a glut of changes to their line-up, which went down narrowly at home to Worcester Warriors in Round 15.

Included in the visiting ranks were the experienced Mouritz Botha, Mike Delany and Sinoti Sinoti, the latter two returning after lengthy spells out with injury.

In a largely uneventful opening to the match, one in which neither side really did anything of meaningful note, it was the Chiefs who finally grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck to break the deadlock on nine minutes.

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Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/PInnacle Photo Agency