Chiefs 48 Falcons 13

Exeter Chiefs 48

Newcastle Falcons 13

Mark Stevens at Sandy Park

Exeter Chiefs booked themselves a first-ever European semi-final encounter as they brushed aside Aviva Premiership rivals Newcastle Falcons with a six-try blast at Sandy Park.

Rob Baxter’s side dominated throughout and sealed a last four date with Gloucester in a fortnight’s time thanks to a Penalty Try and further touchdowns from Dave Ewers, Thomas Waldrom, Byron McGuigan, Sam Hill and Dean Mumm.

Fly-half Henry Slade weighed in with a further 14 points before Gareth Steenson maintained the scoring sequence with two late conversions for the hosts.

The Falcons did their best to try and contain Devon’s finest, but it was to no avail. Chris Harris claimed a second half try, whilst Tom Catterick landed a conversion and two penalties to complete the scoring.

Having advanced through to the last eight with just one blot on their copybook - that was away to Bayonne back in October - the Chiefs were looking to maintain their impressive European form against the visiting Falcons.

With a last four spot firmly up for grabs, it was little surprise that Baxter opted to field a powerful army of talent against the North East outfit. Ben Moon and Tomas Francis returned in the front-row from the side that were defeated by Leicester Tigers the previous week, whilst behind Tom James and Byron McGuigan were also included as injuries ruled out Jack Nowell and Phil Dollman.

That, however, was not the only change to the Chiefs as an injury to Damian Welch in the warm-up meant the home side were forced into a late change. Into the fray came Ben White with Sam Skinner added to the bench.

The Falcons, beaten 46-17 on their last visit to Sandy Park, were at full-strength and included in their ranks the dangerous Sinoti Sinoti for the first time this season in Europe, as well as experienced stars such as Scott Lawson, Kieran Brookes and skipper Will Welch.

As expected, the early exchanges were somewhat frantic as both sides looked to gain the early ascendancy, Defences ruled the opening ten minutes, before turnover ball for the Chiefs allowed Sam Hill to chip ahead before collaring Tom Catterick on his own line for a five-metre scrum.

It was the first real significant opening in the game and the Chiefs made it count as Thomas Waldrom picked from the base of the scrum, the home pack applied the necessary shove and over went Ewers for the opening try, which Slade duly converted.

Minutes later and the Chiefs were doubling their lead as Will Chudley’s fine box kick pinned the Falcons back deep inside their own 22 - and as Tait looked to clear the danger, his clearance was charged down by Jess, who in the act of trying to pounce on the loose ball was cynically hauled back.

Italian referee Marius Mitrea not only awarded the penalty try - converted by Slade - but banished the Newcastle full-back to the sidelines for a 10 minute spell.

Ironically, the Falcons enjoyed their best period of the half whilst they were down a man, but they could not find a way through the miserly Exeter defence, which seemed happy to soak up the pressure before launching their own counter-attack.

With Tait restored to the fray, the Falcons finally got their evening up and running when fly-half Catterick slotted a penalty from in front of the posts after the hosts were penalised for going off their feet.

In an instance, though, Slade restored Exeter’s 14-point buffer as he slotted a long-range penalty after Ewers had been taken out off the ball - only for Catterick to again respond in kind with a second shot at goal, this after the Devonians were adjudged to have held on in the tackle.

HALF TIME EXETER CHIEFS 17 NEWCASTLE FALCONS 6

On the resumption, the Chiefs were quickly into their stride - 50 seconds to be precise - as the marauding Ewers left a trail of destruction with one of his trademark runs, before offloading to Waldrom, who claimed his 14th try of the season, but his first in Europe. Slade once again added the extras with relative ease.

Now 18 points adrift, Falcons coach Dean Richards knew he needed to find a route back into the contest. Four fresh faces were introduced from the bench, but it was the Chiefs who continued to rule the roost.

Slade landed a 54th minute penalty to extend Exeter’s grip on the game before the rampant Chiefs added a fourth try midway through the half.

Using their powerhouse pack to do the hard yards with a series of pick-and-go moves, former Falcon Chudley crafted a lovely kick over the top and there was full-back McGuigan, who gobbled up the hanging ball before dotting down for the converted score.

Initially the referee was unsure as to whether or not McGuigan was in front of the kicks, but TV checks revealed no issues, much to the delight of the bumper Easter crowd.

With the contest effectively offer, Baxter handed a European debut to Academy youngster Skinner, who had been rushed out of corporate duties just before kick-off, whilst the likes of Steenson, Dave Lewis and Moray Low were also afforded some decent game time.

To their credit, the Falcons continued to give it a go - when they were afforded the chance - and their efforts were rewarded when winger Harris produced some fancy footwork and a lethal turn of speed to claim a converted try on 67 minutes.

It was a rare highlight for the visitors in a second half that was dominated by the ‘Men in Black’.

Two tries in as many minutes propelled the Chiefs further in front as first Hill brushed aside two tacklers before sprinting clear; then the young centre bulldozed his way through a further three men before shipping the ball to Tom James, whose clever offload allowed skipper Mumm to coast over the whitewash.

Steenson slotted the extras to both tries to put the Chiefs within sight of the half century.

Even then the Chiefs could have added to their tally, but such was their desire to succeed a brilliant chase down from McGuigan in the final minute typified the effort the Exeter boys were willing to go to in their bid to seal a famous win.

Next up is a league date with champions Northampton Saints, before the European adventure continues again with a tasty trip to Kingsholm.

Chiefs: B McGuigan; T James, I Whitten, S Hill (F Vainikolo 73), M Jess; H Slade (G Steenson 58), W Chudley (D Lewis 58); B Moon (C Rimmer 50), J Yeandle (E Taione 65), T Francis (M Low 58, Francis 74); M Lees (K Horstmann 58), D Mumm (capt); D Ewers, B White (S Skinner 62), T Waldrom.

Tries - Ewers, Penalty Try, Waldrom, McGuigan, Hill, Mumm; Conversions - Slade (4), Steenson (2); Penalties - Slade (2)

Falcons: A Tait (S Hammersley 50); C Harris, A Powell (R Clegg 58), J-P Socino, Sinoti Sinoti; T Catterick, R Tipuna (S Takulua 50); R Vickers (E Fry 50), S Lawson (G McGuigan 58), K Brookes (J-P Orlandi 50); K Thompson, D Barrow (C Green 73); R Mayhew, W Welch (capt, D Temm 58), M Wilson.

Try - Harris; Conversion - Catterick; Penalties - Catterick (2)

Yellow Card: Tait

Referee: M Mitrea (Italy)

Attendance: 10,022

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Northampton Saints (H), Aviva Premiership, Sunday, April 12 (2pm)