Exeter move to top after beating Newcastle Falcons 35-17

Exeter Chiefs 35-17 Newcastle Falcons, Sandy Park
Scorecard

Exeter Chiefs have reclaimed the top position after they registered a 35-17 win over Newcaslte Falcons in their Gallagher Premiership face-off at Sandy Park on Saturday.

This is Exeter's 11th win from 14 games as they displace Saracens at the top while Newcastle Falcons' poor season continues as they suffered their 11th defeat that sees them languish at the bottom of the table.

The Chiefs showed a lot of promise early on when an offload from Alex Cuthbert found full-back Santiago Cordero, who went over the line for the opening try in the 8th minute and by the 17th minute it was hooker Jack Yeandle's turn to go over the line after the home side opted for a five-metre scrum. Gareth Steenson kicked both the conversion as Exeter had a 14-0 lead.

The Falcons responded back when Sinoti Sinoti breached the defences of Exeter Chiefs and allowed Tane Takulua to touchdown in the 20th minute but their momentum suffered a setback when Zach Kibirige was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on.

Exeter made full use of the numerical advantage with Olly Woodburn adding his name to the scoring sheet when he crossed over in the 25th minute that was improved by Steenson to make it 21-7 before the break.

Nic White helped Exeter achieve the try bonus point when he dived across the line in the 46th minute with Steenson making it 28-7. Kibirige made amends for his sin-bin with tries in the 50th and 80th minutes that was seperated by a touchdown from Greg Holmes but Rob Baxter's men were in complete control of the game as they completed a 35-17 victory.