Newcastle's relegation fears worsened after a 13-23 home defeat to Exeter on Friday night.
Chiefs' fly half Gareth Steenson kicked 6 penalties as Exeter put in an all round professional performance in what was a typically feisty encounter.
First Half
Newcastle led through an early Jimmy Gopperth penalty after Exeter dropped the scrum and were then penalised 10 metres for arguing with the referee. Newcastle 3-0 Exeter. Steenson replied with 2 of his own to put Newcastle 6-3 Exeter, but Gopperth's second penalty restored parity for the Falcons as the sides went in for the half time break at Newcastle 6 -6 Exeter.
Second half
15 minutes after the interval Steenson kicked his 3rd penalty to make it Newcastle 6 - 9 Exeter before patient build up work from the Falcons' forwards allowed skipper Hudson to dive over with Gopperth's reliable boot adding the extras. Newcastle 13 - 9 Exeter.
Exeter hit back immediately with Matt Jess crossing the line after Chiefs' Tom Johnson charged down Young's attempted clearance. Newcastle 13 - 14 Exeter
Despite missing the resulting conversion, Steenson kicked 3 penalties in the final 15 minutes to kill off the hosts. Newcastle 13 - 23 Exeter.
Full Time
Man of the match - Gareth Steeenson, good kicking even though he missed a few.
Newcastle:
Tries - Hudson
Penalties - Gopperth (2)
Conversions - Gopperth (1)
Exeter:
Tries - Jess
Penalties - Steenson (5)
Conversions -
Thoughts :
Newcastle largely had themselves to blame for the defeat, with a string of individual errors and ill-discipline costing them dearly. A distinct lack of creativity was evident as the home side refused to go wide and instead persist with predictable runs around the fringes of the breakdown.
The result leaves the impressive Exeter Chiefs on 31 points after 14 games whereas Newcastle remain just 3 points ahead of relegation rivals Leeds, having played a game more.
