Exeter Chiefs triumphant in today's match against Falcons
Newcastle Falcons 13 Exeter Chiefs 23
With Stuart Lancaster’s options for the England No.2 jersey somewhat stretched right now, Exeter Chiefs starlet Luke Cowan-Dickie reminded the Red Rose supremo of his blossoming talents.
The 20-year-old hooker was the stand-out figure as the Chiefs wrapped up their fourth season in English rugby’s top flight with a 23-13 victory on the road at Newcastle Falcons.
Cowan-Dickie not only claimed the first of Exeter’s three tries on the day, but his live-wire performance throughout would have been duly noted by the watching Lancaster in the back of the West Stand.
Tom Youngs’ withdrawal from England’s summer tour to New Zealand this week, coupled with a lingering doubt over Bath’s Rob Webber, means the Truro-born forward is firmly on Lancaster’s radar ahead of their impending trip to tackle the world champions.
Alongside Cowan-Dickie, Ben White and Fetu’u Vainikolo both crossed for tries, while fly-half Henry Slade wrapped up the win by kicking the remainder of the points for Rob Baxter’s side.
In reply, the Falcons claimed a late converted try through Mark Wilson, as well as two first half penalties from Joel Hodgson, but it was never enough to thwart the Chiefs, who leapfrogged Gloucester to claim eighth in the final standings.
Undone right at the death last time out against Harlequins, the Chiefs came into this last-day encounter having made three changes to their starting XV. Up front Ben Moon joined Cowan-Dickie in the front-row in place of Carl Rimmer and Jack Yeandle, while behind Slade was given the role of playmaker with leading points-scorer Gareth Steenson the man to make way.
Initially, though, it was the Falcons – who also made three changes to their side, bringing in Gary Strain, Oliver Tomaszczyk and debutant Ian Nagle – who made the early running as they set about their Devon rivals with a vibrant, attacking front that zoon brought about rewards for them.
Fly-half Hodgson landed a third minute penalty as rookie ref Craig Maxwell-Keys penalised the Chiefs for infringing at a ruck – and the same player doubled his tally just minutes later as the visitors were again found guilty of giving away a soft penalty midway inside their own half.
It was hardly the start the Chiefs had envisaged, but having recovered from Newcastle’s opening shots, they claimed the game’s opening try on 11 minutes through the impressive Cowan-Dickie.
Referee: C Maxwell-Keys.
Attendance: 4,555
See more at: http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/falcons-13-chiefs-23/#sthash.oN1sJVlD.dpuf
