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England prospect saves Exeter in basement battle with Newcastle
By PA
Greg Fisilau scored a last-minute try as Exeter claimed a 17-15 Gallagher Premiership victory over Newcastle in a dour bottom-of-the-table clash at Sandy Park.
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The number eight’s touchdown was the only points of a second half where effort and endeavour were in no short supply but quality was at a premium.
With the Rugby Football Union recently confirming there would be no relegation this season, only pride was really at stake and that showed in this uninspiring battle.
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However, the Chiefs managed to prevent Newcastle recording a league double over them to register a third-successive home league victory.
Exeter took an early lead when a series of close-range line-outs eventually resulted in the ball being spun wide for centre Will Rigg to dive over in the corner, with Henry Slade converting superbly from the touchline.
Seven minutes later, home fly-half Ben Coen threw a pass that was intercepted by his England Under-20 team-mate, scrum-half Joe Davis, who celebrated his first start for Newcastle with an unopposed 30-metre run-in. Fly-half Brett Connon added the simplest of extras.
The hosts were made to pay for butchering a couple of scoring chances in what was an error-strewn opening period when Falcons centre Max Clark broke two tackles to cross in the corner to put his side 12-7 ahead.
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A yellow card, though, for tight-head prop Richard Palframan for repeated line-out infringement by Newcastle gave the Chiefs the numerical advantage, which they capitalised on almost immediately with a second try in two weeks for former Leinster flanker Martin Moloney.
However, right on the stroke of half-time, Connon banged over a 45-metre penalty to give the Falcons a 15-12 interval lead.
The Chiefs had the wind at their backs in the second half, but the visitors were able to eat away at territory by repeatedly winning scrum penalties, even after Exeter changed the whole of their front row.
When the hosts did manage to string attacks together, they were kept out by a rock solid Newcastle defence.
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That was until the final minute when a slick handling move sent Fisilau in for a try in the corner to mark an excellent individual performance.
Newcastle felt aggrieved at a possible forward pass in midfield, but referee Adam Leal waved their protests away.
Slade missed the conversion and – even though there was time for a restart – Exeter saw out the final few seconds to clinch victory and deny Newcastle their first Premiership away win of the season.
The Chiefs still have qualification for next season’s Champions Cup just about within their sights, with eighth-place Northampton eight points ahead with five matches remaining and the reigning champions still to visit Sandy Park.
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