EXETER SECURE BACK-TO-BACK BONUS POINT WINS WITH ROUT AT NEWCASTLE
Exeter Chiefs moved eight points clear of fifth-placed Bristol Bears, easing past Newcastle Red Bulls 38-14 at Kingston Park.
Rob Baxter’s side ran riot in the North East, with tries from Paul Brown-Bampoe (2), Campbell Ridl (2), Olly Woodburn and Stephen Varney blowing Newcastle away.
The Chiefs got off to an electric start, scoring four times within the first 26 minutes; the second fastest bonus-point score of the season.
Brown-Bampoe got the scoring underway six minutes in, walking over in the corner, after a brilliant team move.
Just five minutes later, it was fellow winger Ridl’s turn, as again Exeter worked the ball well through midfield, before Skinner’s pass took out four defenders and allowed Ridl to score with ease.
Brown-Bampoe added his second and Exeter’s third after 16 minutes, collecting the ball off the back of a line-out, before diving over.
Brown-Bampoe opens the scoring for Chiefs with slick finish at Kingston Park
Video credit: TNT Sports
Newcastle started to improve after the third try and saw a period of possession, but they were unable to stop the visitors grabbing a bonus-point try after just 26 minutes.
Woodburn charged over, following a number of carries from the Exeter forwards.
Christian Wade provided a brief fightback for the hosts, producing a bit of magic to score his first Newcastle try.
Wade danced round three defenders to move within seven tries of Chris Ashton’s Premiership record.
The Kingston Park crowd’s hope was short-lived, as Exeter scored either side of half-time, to move further out of sight.
Ridl was provided another easy try in the corner just before the break, before Stephen Varney charged between the posts just three minutes into the second half.
Newcastle managed to stem the flow of tries throughout the remainder of the match, as they avoided a potentially embarrassing defeat.
Red Bulls managed to grab a second try with the last play of the match, giving the Kingston Park crowd something to go home with.
Connor Hancock launched over the line from the back of a ruck, following a sustained period of play inside Exeter's 22'.
Attention now turns to the EPCR Challenge Cup, with Newcastle Red Bulls visiting La Rochelle and Exeter Chiefs hosting Munster.
'It feels too easy' - Chiefs dot down for sixth try with 'fabulous' Varney score
Video credit: TNT Sports
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"There is a Newcastle in Australia, but it is a lot warmer! The boys knew we had to put in a good performance up here, and then we can get back on the bus.
"We knew they are a team, you have to throw the first punch, otherwise you get punched in the nose.
"We rally pride ourselves on not giving away any points easily. We are disappointed giving away 14 points tonight, but we are just trying to build consistency in our 22'. If anyone crosses the white line, they will have worked hard for it.
"We are a tight-knit group, everyone gets along, and you can see that in our performances. We are willing to go into a dark place and live there."
21:33
21:33
CAMPBELL RIDL: WE ARE IN A REALLY GOOD POSITION RIGHT NOW
"Obviously, it is a bit tough coming up North, but the boys pulled together, scored a few tries and it was a great experience.
"I think in the past few uears we have been defeated here, so we had a good game plan, and we stuck to it really well and came out on top, so really happy with that.
"I think right now, every game is important, we need to be there and make the play-off's. We are in a really good position right now."
FT'
FT'
FULL-TIME! NEWCASTLE 14-38 CHIEFS
That is that for the first game of the weekend, with the Chiefs picking up a second consecutive bonus-point victory,
80'
80'
TRY! NEWCASTLE 14-38 CHIEFS
Conor Hancock scores with the last play of the match! After a period of pressure inside Exeter's 22', Hancock dives over from the back of a ruck.
Healy adds the extra two points to give the Kingston Park crowd something to go home happy about.
77'
77'
NEWCASTLE CHANGE. NEWCASTLE 7-38 CHIEFS
James Elliott replaces Simón Benítez Cruz for Newcastle.
21:22
21:22
WATCH: CHIEFS DOT DOWN SIXTH TRY
'It feels too easy' - Chiefs dot down for sixth try with 'fabulous' Varney score
Video credit: TNT Sports
69'
69'
GAME FIZZLING OUT. NEWCASTLE 7-38 CHIEFS
Exeter are looking to see the game out, while Newcastle are still pushing to give their fans something to cheer about.
63'
63'
EXETER CHANGES. NEWCASTLE 7-38 CHIEFS
Tom Cairns and Will Hayden-Wood replace Varney and Skinner.
21:07
21:07
MIND OUT REF
21:04
21:04
ROB BAXTER FULL OF PRAISE FOR STEPHEN VARNEY
21:03
21:03
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Brown-Bampoe opens the scoring for Chiefs with slick finish at Kingston Park
Video credit: TNT Sports
'It feels too easy' - Chiefs dot down for sixth try with 'fabulous' Varney score
Video credit: TNT Sports