Another home win for Chiefs
Exeter Chiefs scored their second home victory in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday after beating Newcastle Falcons 22-17.
Last Updated: 18/09/10 6:50pm
Exeter Chiefs scored their second home victory in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday after beating Newcastle Falcons 22-17.
Although the Chiefs, who beat Gloucester in their first match at Sandy Park since gaining promotion, were behind in the try-scoring stakes by two to one, five penalties and a conversion from fly-half Gareth Steenson proved the difference.
Steenson fired the Chiefs ahead on four minutes with a penalty from the left touchline and he was in the thick of the action once more when subject to a late tackle which saw Falcons flanker Redford Pennycock sinbinned.
The home side could not capitalise, however, and when Newcastle were back to full strength, quick ball from a scrum set up Charlie Amesbury to score under the posts - visiting fly-half Jimmy Gopperth adding the extras.
Exeter regained the lead on the half hour when scrum-half Haydn Thomas released flanker Tom Johnson to cross for a try converted by Steenson.
Gopperth then kicked a long-range penalty to level the match at 10-10 but Newcastle lost captain James Hudson to a leg injury moments before half time.
Determined
A determined-looking Exeter took the field in the second half and after their opponents conceded two penalties, Steenson kicked both for a 16-10 lead.
The Falcons went back ahead though when Luke Eves' pass released fellow centre Rob Vickerman to power over the line.
Gopperth converted to make it 17-16 but the Chiefs hit back almost immediately when Steenson kicked his fourth penalty.
However, his next attempt, from the other side of the pitch two minutes later, fell short.
He was presented with another chance in the 75th minute though and this time found the target to put the Chiefs 22-17 ahead.
Newcastle then mounted a late assault but could not find a way through a determined home defence.
