Chiefs defeat Falcons

Exeter Chiefs 16 Newcastle Falcons 9

Exeter Chiefs have played better this season and lost, yet this return to winning ways against Newcastle Falcons was not only welcome, but provided Rob Baxter and his team with the ideal lift ahead of the Christmas period.

Back amongst the Aviva Premiership’s top five, the Chiefs not only overcame the horrid Westcountry weather, but also a stubborn Falcons side to record their sixth league win of the season.

Eleven points from the boot of master marksman Gareth Steenson, together with a try from half-back partner Haydn Thomas, proved sufficient enough to sink the Falcons, whose scant response was a first half penalty from Phil Godman.

This was, however, not a game that will live long in the memory of the 9,000 or so who braved the wintry elements to pack inside Sandy Park.

The Falcons – adopting their own impression of Ebeneezer Scrooge – did little to help proceedings with some streetwise antics to deny Exeter’s best attacking ambitions, but it was never enough to ultimately stop the Chiefs from achieving their end goal.

A week after tackling the reigning European champions RC Toulon in the heat of Southern France, it was back to a wet and windy Sandy Park for the return to domestic action against the visiting Falcons.

Without a win in their previous five league and cup outings, the Chiefs re-jigged their starting line-up for this latest encounter with Damian Welch, Ben White and Kai Horstmann returning to the pack, whilst behind there were recalls also for Steenson and Sam Hill.

The Falcons, meanwhile, welcomed back experienced scrum-half Mike Blair to their ranks in one of six changes they made. Also included from the outset were Danny Barnes, Ryan Shortland, Kieran Brookes, Carlo del Fava and stand-in skipper Ally Hogg, who packed down in the No.8 jersey.

Despite the somewhat new look to both sides, the opening exchanges were hardly anything to write home about as the play was restricted to a frantic arm wrestle between the respective packs.

With a strong wind at their backs, however, it was the Chiefs who looked the more enterprising in attack and on 11 minutes the deadlock was finally broken when Steenson slotted the first of three first half penalties when the visitors hadstrayed offside deep inside their own 22.

*Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club / Pinnacle Photo Agency

Referee: G Garner

Attendance: 8,955

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Harlequins (A), Aviva Premiership, Saturday, December 28 (4pm)

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