Chiefs boss sorry Falcons
Relegation-threatened Newcastle were plunged deeper into trouble after suffering a 23-13 defeat to Exeter at Kingston Park.
Last Updated: 18/02/11 11:43pm
Relegation-threatened Newcastle were plunged deeper into trouble after suffering a 23-13 defeat to Exeter at Kingston Park.
Gareth Steenson kicked 18 points for the Chiefs, including four penalties in the second half, while Matt Jess crossed the try-line for the visitors.
The Falcons were on level terms at 6-6 when the teams went in for half-time, but despite a try from James Hudson they could not stop their opponents racing away after the break.
Newcastle earned a penalty in the third minute but Jimmy Gopperth's long range effort was off target, although he made no mistake five minutes later when Exeter dropped the scrum before being penalised a further 10 metres for arguing with the referee.
Steenson soon had the Chiefs on level terms, however, as he slotted through a penalty after Tane Tu'ipulotu went over the ball in the ninth minute, and the fly-half gave his side the lead in the 15th minute with another three points.
Tussles
The feisty encounter involved several tussles among the forwards and twice referee Shaun Davey had to tell the captains to calm their players down.
The Falcons threatened to score through Alex Tait after Micky Young broke down the right but the full-back lost control on the 22 to pass up a golden chance.
Gopperth sent his second penalty over in the 27th minute to restore parity again at 6-6, while Steenson squandered a chance three minutes later as the sides were still level at the interval.
Chris Bugden had been lucky to avoid a yellow card after a cynical late challenge as Gopperth kicked through, with the resulting long-range effort being just short on half-time.
Gopperth had an easier chance to give Newcastle the lead shortly after the break but missed for a fourth time after Exeter had been penalised for offside.
The kicking contest continued as Steenson edged Exeter in front with a 55th-minute penalty but the Falcons suddenly found some impetus and scored the opening try of the contest in the 61st minute.
Patient
The home pack remained patient to set up the score after a series of drives, with skipper Hudson eventually crossing the line and Gopperth adding the extras.
But Exeter's response was swift as Tom Johnson charged down an attempted clearance from Young and Jess took advantage to cross for a try.
Steenson failed to tack on the conversion but shortly afterwards nailed another penalty to give the Chiefs a four-point lead at 17-13.
Jeremy Manning, who had come on for Gopperth, then missed a very kickable penalty 10 minutes from time to pass up a great chance of reducing the gap.
And Steenson killed off the hosts with his fifth penalty with five minutes to go before adding another three in the last minute to deny Newcastle even a losing bonus point.
