Match report: Exeter Chiefs 38-15 Newcastle Red Bulls

Exeter Chiefs put on a confident display to secure a win in their home-opener against Newcastle Red Bulls at Sandy Park on Saturday afternoon.

The pack laid a strong foundation for the back-line to play off of, continually fronting up at the set-piece to put their teammates on the front-foot.

One week on from his try-scoring return, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was the first name on the scoresheet. Chiefs were working with the penalty advantage tight to the posts when the winger took a feed, a latcher helping him to muscle over the line.

Ben Hammersley held the ball on the tee for Henry Slade to attempt the conversion, but the wind whipped the ball wide of the posts.

From the restart, Newcastle received a penalty and despite the conditions, Brett Connon called for the kicking tee. He managed to slice the uprights to get his side on the board.

Ross Vintcent responded immediately for Exeter. There was competition in the air from a box-kick, but Newcastle couldn’t take the ball. The Chiefs back rower arrived at pace, snagged the bouncing ball and stormed into the line from just inside the half.

Slade read the conditions well at the second asking, securing the conversion.

Feyi-Waboso was in for a second try before half an hour played. The forwards worked the tight phases off a five-metre lineout before Stephen Varney sent ball out to Harvey Skinner. The fly-half put a looping spiral in for Feyi-Waboso to trot in on the wing, Slade’s kick adding the extra two.

The pack secured the bonus-point by the half-time whistle. Joseph Dweba, on his first runout at his new home, took control of the ball at the maul as the Exeter men drove for the line. The conversion pulled wide for Slade, but Chiefs had breached the 20-point barrier.

Dweba’s opposite man George McGuigan scored Newcastle’s first try of the day in response. Mauling to within inches, the hooker picked and went for five points. Connon added the conversion for the full seven.

Half-time: Chiefs 24 – 10 Red Bulls

The hat-trick score for Feyi-Waboso began the second-half points scoring on 55 minutes. A chip to the wing from the middle of the 22 off Skinner’s boot found the winger in perfect space. Slade converted from in front of the posts.

There was worry for Chiefs on 66 minutes when, just 10 minutes after coming on, loosehead prop Kwenzo Blose had to be helped from the field injured. Will Goodrick-Clarke re-entered the field to add to his already strong performance.

A monster hit from Dafydd Jenkins stripped Newcastle of the ball on their own 10-metre line with 10 minutes left to play. Skinner took immediate advantage, repossessing the ball to run in a try beneath the posts. Slade made quick use of the simple conversion position.

There was time for a consolation score for Newcastle but, unfortunately for the visitors, it wasn’t enough to secure a bonus point.

So, it was to the jubilation of the crowd that Chiefs opened their home account on a win. They’ll now prepare to travel to Ashton Gate to face west-country rivals Bristol Bears next weekend.

Full-time: Chiefs 38 – 15 Red Bulls

Chiefs: D John; I Feyi-Waboso, H Slade, B Hammersley (Lilley 68’), P Brown-Bampoe; H Skinner, S Varney (Chapman 66’); W Goodrick-Clarke (Blose 56’, Goodrick-Clarke 66’), J Dweba (Yeandle 56’), J Iosefa-Scott (Tchumbadze 56’), D Jenkins (c), A Zambonin (Tuima 70’), E Roots (Pearson 62’), G Fisilau, R Vintcent (James 62’).

Tries: Feyi-Waboso 3, Vintcent, Dweba, Skinner Conversions: Slade 4

Red Bulls: L Williams (Obatoyinbo 56’); O Spencer, C Doherty, E Grayson, A Hearle (Chamberlain 66’); B Connon, J Elliott (Dickens 78’); M McCallum (Brocklebank 51’), G McGuigan (c) (Fletcher 66’), L De Bruin (Palframan 10’), J Hodgson (Usher 66’), F Clarke, C Neild (Lee-Warner 56’), T Gordon, A Mafi.

Tries: McGuigan, Hearle Conversions: Connon Penalties: Connon

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys