Chiefs stumble away from home

Just when it looked the Exeter Chiefs had taken two significant steps forward in this season’s Aviva Premiership, they sadly allowed one back as Newcastle Falcons claimed a priceless victory at Kingston Park.

Not since October 27 last year when London Irish were turned over 20-13 had Dean Richards’ side experienced the sweet taste of victory.

They were, however, the ‘Toast of the Toon’ come the final whistle on this occasion as tries from Sinoti Sinoti, Tom Catterick and Noah Cato, plus 14 points from the boot of playmaker Juan-Pablo Socino, helped them to end a 20-game winless streak in English rugby’s top flight.

Until this day it was the third worse losing sequence in the Premiership, but their commitment to the cause and their never-say-die attitude proved too much for the visiting Chiefs.

Although the Chiefs countered with tries of their own through Thomas Waldrom (above), Ben White and Henry Slade, as well as three penalties from Gareth Steenson, this will undoubtedly go down as a costly setback.

Buoyed by back-to-back victories over Gloucester and Harlequins, the Chiefs arrived in the North East having slightly tweaked their winning formula of the past fortnight.

Changes saw Don Armand come in for his first start of the season in the second-row in place of Mitch Lees; whilst behind Ian Whitten was recalled to the centre ahead of Sam Hill and Tom James was given the nod on the right wing with England star Jack Nowell forced to miss the game.

Medical opinion was not to risk the talented Cornishman on Newcastle’s new 4G surface so soon after his recovery from summer knee surgery, but even without the 21-year-old the Chiefs were able to parade a powerful line-up that didn’t take long to get into their stride.

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