Dean Richards, the Newcastle director of rugby, could not hide his frustration after Callum Chick was sent off during the first half before Exeter pilfered the points late on to move ominously towards the play-off places. Chick, the Falcons captain and No 8, was shown a red card by the referee Christophe Ridley in the 25th minute for a high shot on Josh Hodge, Exeter’s erstwhile Newcastle full-back.
Richards queried the haste with which the officials decided that Chick’s shoulder had made contact with Hodge’s head, arguing that the offence warranted no more than a yellow card. Newcastle fought valiantly with 14 men and were on course for a famous victory until the closing stages when the Exeter captain, Joe Simmonds, kicked a penalty to win it.
