Falcons earn belated win over Chiefs

NEWCASTLE Falcons warmed up for their crucial Aviva Premiership date with Leeds Carnegie on Boxing Day with a last-gasp win over Premiership rivals Exeter in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

Newcastle had to transfer their Pool Three game with the Chiefs to Galashiels after their snow-covered Kingston Park ground was ruled out, and an 80th-minute penalty from Jeremy Manning earned them a 26-24 victory just as it seemed they were set to lose.

Having transferred their visitors safely over the border, they then went on to rock their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals by beating them for the first time in three meetings this season.

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The reliable boot of Jimmy Gopperth gave the Falcons a flying start as he kicked four penalties to add to a try from South African Gcobani Bobo as Newcastle reached the break 17-6 ahead.

A fifth Gopperth success made it 20-6 shortly after the restart, but the Chiefs came thundering back into the contest with tries from centre Phil Dollman and wing Mark Foster.

Ryan Davis weighed in with 12 points and when Gareth Steenson converted Foster's 76th-minute score the Chiefs took the lead for the first time.

But then Manning stepped up to steal the glory and rob the Chiefs of the chance of taking over at the top of the pool from Montpellier, who were beaten 36-18 in Bourgoin.

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La Rochelle threw Pool Five wide open as they became the first side in 18 games to win at Gloucester. In a match marred by indiscipline, the French visitors prevailed 24-18.

Smarting from their 13-6 home defeat to the Cherry and Whites last weekend, La Rochelle shocked their Premiership opponents.

A fiery second half saw the visitors lose both Alexandre Bares and Tamato Leupolu to the sin bin, and Vincent Roux was sent off for picking up two yellow cards.

The home side dominated territory but did not convert their chances and once No 8 Thomas Soucaze powered his way over, they were chasing the game.

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Benjamin Dambielle collected a 14-point haul and prop Jonathan Garcia also touched down for La Rochelle.

Lsley Vainikolo crashed over either side of the break and Freddie Burns crossed for a try but it came too late.