Exeter Chiefs Overwhelm Newcastle Falcons With Five Try First Half Surge at Kingston Park

Exeter Chiefs dominate Newcastle Falcons 38-14 with a five try first half blitz to secure back to back wins in the Gallagher Premiership.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 5:14 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PA Sport

A Dominant Opening Salvo in the North

Exeter Chiefs established immediate superiority in their Friday evening encounter, utilizing a high tempo offensive strategy that Newcastle struggled to contain from the opening whistle. Paul Brown-Bampoe was the primary beneficiary of Exeter’s expansive play, crossing the right corner early to initiate the scoring. According to match data, the visitors prioritized quick ball movement from the set piece, which repeatedly stretched the Falcons' defensive line. This early pressure allowed Exeter to dictate the pace of the game, ensuring that the hosts remained pinned in their own territory for much of the opening quarter.

Tactical Precision and Clinical Execution

The Chiefs demonstrated significant technical strength, particularly through their rolling mauls and patient phase play. After Nick Lilley was stopped just short of the line, Campbell Ridl found space on the left flank to secure Exeter’s second try, with Harvey Skinner adding the necessary conversion. The visitors’ ability to transition between physical forward play and rapid backline distribution proved to be a decisive factor. By the 25th minute, Olly Woodburn had secured the bonus point try following an offload from Skinner, effectively ending the contest as a competitive struggle before the first half had concluded.

Defensive Lapses and Individual Efforts

Newcastle Falcons managed to produce occasional flashes of individual brilliance despite their overall defensive struggles. Christian Wade capitalized on a quick break from a scrum to charge down the right wing and score for the hosts, providing a momentary lift for the Kingston Park supporters. However, Exeter responded almost immediately as Campbell Ridl weaved through the defense to ground his second try just before the interval. This ability to counter strike when Newcastle showed signs of life underlined the gulf in clinical execution between the two sides during the first forty minutes.