Exeter Chiefs pip Newcastle Red Bulls despite Christian Wade hat-trick

A hat-trick from Newcastle wing Christian Wade was not enough to stop Exeter claiming their first Gallagher Prem win of the season as they edged a topsy-turvy game at Sandy Park 34-28.

The lead frequently changed hands and it was not until the dying stages that the Chiefs were able to seal victory.

Max Hicks scored Newcastle’s other try, with Zack Henry converting all four to secure two valuable bonus points.

Ross Vintcent scored two tries for an error-ridden Exeter, while Sam Harris, Henry Slade and Bachuki Tchumbadze got the others, with Slade converting three and kicking a penalty.

It took Exeter just 40 seconds to open the scoring when Vintcent charged down a clearance kick to gather and score.

Three minutes later Newcastle were level when a long pass from an alert Simon Benitez Cruz gave Wade an easy run-in.

The frenetic opening continued as a well-timed pass from Slade sent Vintcent galloping 20 metres down the right flank to score his second try before skilful handling from the visitors allowed Hicks to cross, with Henry’s conversion putting them in front for the first time.

A fifth try arrived before the first quarter had elapsed, with Slade racing through a leaky defence for an individual score, but Exeter then suffered a blow when flanker Ethan Roots was yellow-carded for a no-arms tackle.

Newcastle also suffered a setback when their full-back Harrison Obatoyinbo departed for an HIA, to be replaced by Jake Dalziel, who became the club’s youngest ever league debutant aged just 18 years and 54 days.

Dalziel almost made a dream start when his well-judged cross-field kick picked out Werner Kok in acres of space, but a horrible bounce for the wing prevented a certain score.

However, Red Bulls were able to take advantage of Roots’ absence when a break from Sammy Arnold provided Wade with his second.

Roots returned from the sin-bin, but Newcastle still led 21-19 at the end of a pulsating first half.

Four minutes after the restart the home side were back in front when a period of pressure was rewarded with the bonus-point try from Harris, on his Prem debut.

However, a handling error from Slade presented Wade with the opportunity to complete his hat-trick, a kick-and-chase securing the touchdown.

Exeter suffered a further blow when Immanuel Feyi-Waboso departed with a leg problem before Red Bulls introduced hooker Samson Adejimi for his debut.

The hosts also made changes by bringing on back-rowers Tom Hooper and Kane James in an attempt to reverse their fortunes and it paid dividends when a Slade penalty gave them a one-point lead before Tchumbadze crashed over to wrap up victory, with Newcastle prop Adam Brocklebank sin-binned.