Mistakes cost us dear, insists Falcons’ coach
NEWCASTLE Falcons’ boss Dean Richards was left to reflect on missed chances as his side was beaten 36-5 by Exeter in the semi-finals of the Aviva Premiership play-offs.
The Kingston Park outfit completed a superb campaign by securing a top-four place in the final table but faced an Exeter Chiefs side on their home turf – and fresh from winning the championship.
The Chiefs never looked back after building a 16-point interval advantage through scrum-half Nic White’s try, plus three penalties and a conversion from his half-back partner Joe Simmonds.
Richards, however, insisted his side did not freeze on the big occasion and had chances to put more pressure on the hosts.
The Falcons’ rugby director said: “We made uncharacteristic errors.
“The boys did not freeze on the day, they just did not capitalise on the opportunities they had.
“We talked about their possession in the first half but it came about by us losing two lineouts, losing a scrum and turning over the ball.
“If you get all those bits right, then that gives you chance.”
Exeter boss Rob Baxter, meanwhile, praised a “glued-together” performance as his title holders reached their third successive Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham on Saturday, where they face Saracens.
He said: “I am very pleased. While winning is great, the manner of our win is very pleasing.
“We knew we would have to work very hard against a team which is very resilient in defence and has a lot of collective belief.
“The way the game went, those points took some scoring.
“We had to have a lot of possession into the wind, work extremely hard and build our performance.”
Newcastle were never remotely allowed into the contest, having to stage a prolonged defensive rearguard as Exeter pulled further away through tries by wing Olly Woodburn and flanker Don Armand, two more penalties and another Simmonds conversion as he finished with 19 points, while Gareth Steenson added the final conversion.
Alex Tait claimed a consolation try for Newcastle but their impressive campaign ended disappointingly on an afternoon when they were dominated in every key department.
Baxter added: “What we had was a performance glued together.
“It was glued together for longer than Newcastle managed and that has made the difference in the scoreline.
“I said to the players it may not feel like it sometime, but I don’t feel like I have watched us play a game when we have had so much control for such a long period.
“I did the defensive review at halftime and there was not a lot to talk about.
“I asked them ‘what is the best thing about our defence?’ and they said ‘we have not had to do anything,’ which was exactly right.
“We kept the ball and if you keep the ball it is the best way to defend.”
This season’s Premiership final will be a repeat of the 2016 title showdown – Saracens beat Exeter 28-20 on that occasion – and will see England’s top two teams following the 22-game regular season going head to head.