Short’s double puts Chiefs a point off top
JAMES Short moved to the top of the Premiership try-scoring chart with another two as Exeter maintained the pressure on Wasps at the top of the table.
Short took his tally to ten for the season as Chiefs moved above Saracens into second place, just one point behind the leaders.
Short’s first was a 90 metre effort and it was a huge turning point as moments earlier Newcastle blew a golden opportunity to go 14-0 up.
It was rough justice on Newcastle for their opening was as bright as their orange shirts. They dazzled their opponents with some swift ball-handling as Vereniki Goneva and Callum Chick caused no end of problems.
They showed why they had rocketed up the Premiership table and with remaining games against strugglers Worcester and Bristol, they have every chance of securing a European Champions Cup spot.
However without influential flanker, Mark Wilson, a late withdrawal through illness, the Falcons’ pack fell apart badly to deprive their backs of any worthwhile possession which forced Joel Hodgson to struggle.
Ultimately Exeter were convincing winners but they weren’t at their best, missing the creativity of Gareth Steenson and Henry Slade but forwards Kai Horstmann and Mitch Lees led the way up front to ensure the Newcastle record of never having won at Sandy Park was maintained.
Exeter began poorly when Olly Woodburn carelessly dropped the kick-off to give Falcons some early momentum and they capitalised by taking the lead.
A couple of well-timed passes from Dom Waldouck and a few powerful bursts from Nili Latu put Chiefs’ defence on the back foot for Goneva to power over in the corner.
Exeter were hesitant in the opening stages and when Goneva intercepted on his own 22 the visitors looked certain to extend their lead.
Govena was overhauled but he fed Chris Harris with the centre’s pass seemingly sure to send Alex Tait in under the posts but the full-back knocked on five metres from the line.
Exeter couldn’t believe the luck but they regained possession to send Short away on that 90 metre run during which he easily sidestepped Hodgson to score.
Falcons regrouped to regain the lead when a brilliant 35 metre run from Chick took them to within a metre of the line from where Rob Vickers was on hand to force his way over.
Exeter were second best in that first half hour but raised their game to score their second when Geoff Parling made a crucial burst to set up a try for Harry Williams with the conversion and penalty from Joe Simmonds putting Exeter 17-14 ahead at the interval.
The second half was nowhere near as entertaining with errors and penalties becoming more frequent as the Exeter took control.
The home eight won a penalty try award after Newcastle crumbled at a five metre scrum before Chiefs emphasised their superiority with two late tries.
Sam Skinner capitalised on a Newcastle fumble for the first before Short latched on to a clever kick ahead from Will Hooley to score his second and join Wasps’ Christian Wade at the top of the chart.