As the leading trainers around the country ready themselves for next month’s Grand National, so English rugby’s thoroughbreds are limbering up for the what should be an enthralling final furlong in the Premiership season.
After two months of sporadic action while the Six Nations was played out, domestic duties returned with the leading runners and riders all jostling to get themselves the advantage for the chance to land the big prize at Twickenham in June.
However, if this was an indication of what is to come, the next few weeks will need to see some marked improvements.
Although the start was encouraging, Newcastle Falcons flyer Ben Stevenson thundering over the whitewash inside two minutes to give his side a perfect start, what followed – particularly during a turgid second half – will certainly need some real attention to detail.
The Falcons, languishing at the foot of the table and without a win all season, were competitive to a point. But the hosts never needed to crack the whip at any stage in the match.
The bonus point should have been the launchpad for a further second half charge. Instead it turned into an arduous arm-wrestle in which penalties – 27 of them in total – meant the contest became a stop-start affair with little value to the paying public.
Match details
Exeter Chiefs: J Hodge; D John, Z Wimbush, J Hawkins (W Rigg 67), O Woodburn; H Skinner, W Becconsall (S Townsend 60); S Sio (D Southworth 67), J Yeandle (c, D Frost 67), J Iosefa-Scott (M Street 22); R Tuima (J Dunne 75), L Pearson; J Vermeulen, R Capstick, G Fisilau (R Vintcent 60). Replacements: W Haydon-Wood
Newcastle Falcons: E Obatoyinbo, A Radwan, T Penny, R Jennings, B Stevenson (M Moroni 43, Blamire 76); B Connon, S Stuart (B Douglas 78); A Brocklebank (P Brantingham 45), J Blamire (B Byrne 70), E Bello (R Palframan 43); P van der Walt (J Kelly 70), S de Chaves; F Lockwood (S Cross 11-23, 63), G Pepper, C Chick (c).
Yellow Card: Pepper, Byrne
Referee: Jack Makepeace
Attendance: 11,940
Scoring sequence: Stevenson Try (0-5), Connon Con (0-7), Fisilau Try (5-7), Connon Pen (5-10), Wimbush Try (10-10), Sio Try (15-10), Connon Pen (15-13), Tuima Try (20-13), Hodge Con (22-13), Connon Pen (22-16), Hodge Pen (25-16)