Gallagher Premiership round-up: Newcastle Falcons win for first time in 25 games, Northampton Saints hammer Sale Sharks

Newcastle Falcons snapped a 25-game winless run with a 24-18 victory over Exeter Chiefs at Kingston Park on Friday night in the Gallagher Premiership. It wasn't as close at Franklin's Gardens, as reigning champions Northampton scored 40 points in the first half and touched over seven times against Sale Sharks, cruising to a 47-17 win.

It was a nervy ending at Kingston Park, but Newcastle Falcons secured a 24-18 victory over Exeter Chiefs to spark scenes of jubilation - and relief.

The Chiefs drew first blood on the night with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso diving over the line in the corner to take a 5-0 lead after just four minutes.

It looked like it could be a long night for the Falcons, who were attempting to end a losing streak of 25 games that stretched back to March 2023, but they took the lead after 17 minutes.

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Phillip van der Walt powered over, with Ethan Grayson adding the conversion as the underdogs took a 7-5 lead.

Two penalty kicks had the Chiefs ahead once again, but the hosts crossed for their second try on the half-hour mark.

Jamie Blamire’s 5m tap-and-drive couldn’t be stopped by the Exeter defence as Newcastle took the lead into half-time for the first time in any game since November.

The Falcons added a third try after 55 minutes. Their maul from a 5m lineout powered over the line as Blamire touched down for his second try of the evening. Newcastle were really believing.

Ethan Grayson fired over a drop goal from 30m out to extend the lead to 24-11 with just over 10 minutes to go.

A late Josh Hodge try made it a one-score game with seconds remaining, but the hosts successfully closed out the match for their first victory of the season.

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Saints' first-half show blows Sharks out of the water

Elsewhere, Northampton beat Sale Sharks 47-17.

Sale opened the scoring via the boot of Robert du Preez but were behind just three minutes later as Tommy Freeman crossed for the Saints.

Robbie Smith suffered a potentially serious injury in the build-up, though, and left the field on a stretcher.

The atmosphere at Franklin's Gardens was subdued as a result but livened up three minutes later as George Furbank crossed for the hosts' second try.

Sale answered back, opting to kick to the corner twice instead of taking an easy three points in front of the post. The risk paid off, with Luke Cowan-Dickie’s converted try getting Sale within two of Northampton after 15 minutes.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

The turning point of the game was the yellow card for Alex Willis, with Northampton scoring 21 points in his absence.

Ollie Sleightholme crossed for Saints’ third try, finishing off in the corner after a quick passing move. James Ramm was first to a loose ball three minutes later, setting up Tom James for their forth try.

A horrible error from Tom Roebuck while attempting to gather a bouncing Saints kick gifted Sleightholme his second try of the night.

George Hendy’s interception from a loose Sale pass allowed him to stroll from the halfway line to score underneath the posts, giving Northampton a 40-10 lead at half-time.

Sale fought back in the second half, with Joseph Carpenter’s try bringing them halfway towards a losing four-try bonus point.

Saints' defence would stiffen after slacking early in the second half as Carpenter's try would be their final one of the encounter.

Ramm was there again to capitalise on sloppy Sale passing, catching an unprepared defence flat-footed at the halfway line to score his first try of the evening and his side's seventh to cap off a 47-17 win.

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