Workmanlike Chiefs grind out a win at Falcons
NEWCASTLE FALCONS ........ 9 EXETER CHIEFS ...... 15
EXETER won a second tight game in just over a week as they edged Newcastle 15-9 at Kingston Park.
The victory moves the reigning Premiership and European champions - who beat Worcester last time out - up to second in the table after eight rounds. The defeat was a second in a row for the Falcons and their first at home in the league this season.
The Falcons took the lead on five minutes with Joel Hodgson slotting over a penalty, which hit both uprights before going over.
The Chiefs hit back after 15 minutes, with Sam Simmonds picking up the ball from the base of a fivemetre scrum and powering his way over the line to ground the ball. Joe Simmonds kicked the conversion despite a swirling wind.
Newcastle made it a one-point game with Hodgson kicking his second penalty after Will Witty had been penalised for a tackle off the ball.
Witty was at the centre of everything and was inches away from grabbing his side’s second try against his former club, but a last-ditch tackle by Gareth Owen took the back-rower into touch.
With 10 minutes of the first half remaining, Joe Simmonds kicked a straightforward penalty to extend the Chiefs’ lead after the home side were penalised for not rolling away.
As the clock ticked into the red, Exeter were nearly masters of their own downfall after conceding a penalty at their own scrum. However, they forced an error from Newcastle and managed to escape punishment.
Exeter extended their lead on 51 minutes as Alex Cuthbert was able to dot down in the right corner after brushing off the tackles of Hodgson and Cooper Vuna. Joe Simmonds was unable to add the extras.
Just before the hour mark, Hodgson added his third penalty of the game to keep the Falcons in it.
Exeter continued to press, looking to add more points as they pinned the Falcons deep inside their own half. None were forthcoming as some stubborn defensive play from the home side kept it a one-score game into the final five minutes.
As Newcastle looked for some field position they were guilty of being offside in the midfield, which gave the Chiefs the chance to push the Falcons back into their 22.
The game ended with Joe Simmonds taking the option to put the ball out of play with the clock in the red, with the defending champions taking the points back down to Devon.