Match Centre: Newcastle Falcons 9-15 Exeter Chiefs

Newcastle Falcons 9-15 Exeter Chiefs, Kingston Park
Scorecard

Sam Simmonds and Alex Alex Cuthbert scored tries as Exeter Chiefs edged past Newcastle Falcons with a 15-9 margin in the latest round of the Gallagher Premiership at Kingston Park.

The win has taken Exeter to the second place in the table with 28 points while Newcastle Falcons are at seventh place after losing three out of their last four matches.

Joel Hodgson started the proceedings with a fifth minute penalty goal but the Chiefs responded back when Sam Simmonds dived in the left corner at the back of a 5m scrum with his brother Joe Simmonds kicking the conversion.

As Will Witty was penalised, the Falcons were presented with an opportunity to narrow down the gap which Hodgson kicked in the 19th minute making the scoreline 6-7.

Around the half-hour mark, Joe Simmonds extended the Chiefs lead with his maiden penalty goal after Newcastle Falcons were penalised for not rolling away as the opening half ended with a 6-10 scoreline.

Rob Baxter's men were the quickest to get off the block in the second half with Alex Cuthbert on his return from a four-month injury layoff went past the defence of Hodgson and Cooper Vuna on his way over the try line but Joe failed to get the conversion right.

Hodgson with his third penalty in the 59th minute kept the Falcons in the hunt bringing the gap down to six points but they could not find any more breakthrough as the Chiefs completed a six-point win.

Team line-up:

Newcastle: Hodgson; Wacokecoke, Orlando, Owen, Stevenson; Connon, Schreuder; Davison, McGuigan, Mulipola, Peterson, Fuser, Robinson, Hardie, van der Walt

Reserves: Blamire, Cooper, Tampin, Barry, Collett, Stuart, Tait, Vuna

Exeter: Cordero; Cuthbert, Ian Whitten, Devoto, O'Flaherty; J Simmonds, Maunder; Hepburn, Yeandle, Street, Witty, Skinner, Ewers, Capstick, S Simmonds

Reserves: Innard, Kenny, Van Dyk, Armand, Lonsdale, Townsend, Skinner, Hendrickson