Falcons force the Chiefs into battle for top spot
EXETER CHIEFS V NEWCASTLE FALCONS Newcastle tough it away
EXETER NEWCASTLE 35 17
EXETER’S Ali Hepher accepted that bottom club Newcastle made them work hard for the win which returned the Chiefs to the top of the Gallagher Premiership.
Exeter scored five tries in the 35-17 success at Sandy Park, through Santiago Cordero, Olly Woodburn, Greg Holmes, Nic White and Jack Yeandle. Gareth Steenson converted all of them.
The impressive Zach Kibirige replied by scoring two tries for the visitors and Sonatane Takulua also crossed the whitewash, with Toby Flood adding a conversion.
Assistant coach Hepher said: “It was tough old battle as there are a lot of wounded people on both sides.
“After last week’s defeat at Gloucester we wanted the guys to show more emotion, which they did.
“We applied ourselves correctly and communicated well.
“Our ball-carrying ability to make the hard yards proved the difference and we were the better side in the contact area.”
Next up for Exeter are difficult trips to Sale and Worcester, as they attempt to retain their four-point lead over Saracens at the top.
Hepher continued: “We knew it would be a tough block of fixtures with three away games but we are excited about going up to Sale.
“We need to concentrate on our performance and set the bar high, so if they are good enough to beat that then good luck to them.”
Newcastle’s Dean Richards said he was satisfied with his side’s spirited efforts but despite that they remain bottom of the table with eight games remaining.
The Falcons’ director of rugby said: “The boys stuck at it well but both sides threw away three or four good scoring chances. It’s a very difficult place to come and our execution could have been better.
“Defensively we were pretty strong but we were a bit naive in the first half when they attacked the short side.
“It didn’t help when we lost a few forwards in the first 20 minutes, which caused us disruption as some people had to play a full 80 minutes.”
On Kibirige, Richards said: “Zach was impressive as he’s got gas to burn and he’s working on other aspects of his game.”
Next up for Newcastle is a home game against fellow strugglers Worcester and Richards added: “Everyone is saying it’s all about next week but I don’t agree with that as there’s a lot of rugby to be played before the end of the season.”