CHIEFS DODGE ‘BANANA SKIN’
Exeter 25 Newcastle
ROB BAXTER spoke of his relief as his Exeter Chiefs avoided a potential “banana skin” with a scrappy win over basement side Newcastle Falcons.
Exeter shrugged off losing England star Ethan Roots to injury before kick-off, trailing to an early try, and some ring rust after the Six Nations break, to rise to third in the table.
Roots’ injury was later reported to be not a serious one, but it was a seriously unconvincing performance against opponents suffering their 13th defeat of a miserable campaign.
But Baxter insisted: “It was job done because it was a potential banana skin, especially with Steve Diamond going into Falcons and them getting something of a bounce.
“The guys could have made a lot of excuses with the late changes to the team which could have disrupted us, and then Newcastle getting that quick try. And it did feel edgy for a period until we kicked that late penalty.
“All we can do is keep picking up the points and see where it takes us.”
Falcons made a flying start with wing Ben Stevenson grabbing a try after 70 seconds. But Chiefs soon took command and led 22-13 at half-time with tries from No.8 Greg Fisilau, centre Zack Wimbush, prop Scott Sio and powerful forward Rus Tuima.
Yet Falcons, who had flanker Guy Pepper and hooker Bryan Byrne sin-binned during the game, refused to be rolled over.
Brett Connon reduced the lead to six points with his fourth penalty before a Josh Hodge kick sealed the Chiefs’ win.
Falcons boss Diamond retains hopes his side can grab at least one win for the campaign. He said: “We stayed in the fight to the end and there was a lot of endeavour. So there’s optimism.”