Newcastle Falcons 28 Exeter Chiefs 20

Storm Eleanor has battered all parts of the UK this past week, but it was Exeter Chiefs who felt the full force of a determined Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park.

In the first Aviva Premiership fixture of the New Year, the reigning champions were simply ripped apart by a dominant first half display from Dean Richards’ side.

The in-form Falcons ran in tries through Sinoti Sinoti, Vereniki Goneva and Kyle Cooper as they paved the way for only their second-ever top flight win against the Devonians.

Although the Chiefs were much improved after the break, claiming three touchdowns of their own through Sam Simmonds, Olly Woodburn and Toby Salmon, they had simply left themselves with too much to do, crashing to only their third league defeat of the season, and failing for the first time in 33 games to pick up any kind of bonus point.

Having ended 2017 with a bang against Leicester Tigers, Baxter’s side - which showed ten changes from their last outing - arrived in the North East looking to build on that success and further cement their position at the summit of the table.

Standing in their way, however, were a Falcons outfit, who themselves were in a rich vein of form, having won their last five fixtures in all competitions.

For the full match report, go to: https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/falcons-28-chiefs-20