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.
Sale extend Harlequins woes
Christian Wade’s hat-trick was not enough to give Newcastle the win against Exeter
Harlequins’ troubled start to the Gallagher Prem season continued with a third successive loss of the campaign against Sale at CorpAcq Stadium in Salford.
The Sharks left it late but came from behind to snatch a 28-24 success with a 73rd-minute penalty try, after the returning Marcus Smith had touched down twice in the opening quarter to threaten a shock win for the visitors.
After their opening-day reverse to Bristol at home, Sale have bounced back strongly with back-to-back wins over Saracens and Quins.
But despite their first points of the season, the loss leaves Jason Gilmore’s team – who suffered their worst league defeat in 26 years last weekend, a 48-0 humbling by Gloucester – rooted to the foot of the table.
With Smith involved for the first time this season after a finger injury, the visitors made seven changes on the back of that embarrassment.
This was a big improvement on that toothless display but, with a late power surge, Sale found a way to chalk up what was their fifth successive win against Harlequins in the league and Europe.
Quins, who had two tries disallowed before the interval, deserved their 17-14 half time lead.
They made a fast start with hooker Sam Riley giving them a third-minute lead, diving over in the corner after Smith and George Furbank had combined in midfield.
Five minutes later Smith was over after a beautiful tip pass from Furbank had freed Luke Northmore down the right wing.
Sale hit back in the 11th minute with a superb try of their own from Fijian number eight Elia Canakaivata on his first Prem start, with Jacques Vermeulen suspended after his red card against Saracens.
Smith went through some weak defence for his second try in the 19th minute and only a brilliant cover tackle from O’Flaherty prevented the England man grabbing his hat-trick inside the first half hour.
Sale cut the deficit two minutes before the break with scrum-half Gus Warr going over after some nice work in midfield from Alex Lozowski.
With the Sharks conceding too many penalties, Riley was mauled over for Quins’ bonus-point try in the 53rd minute.
But when Sale finally were able to hold onto possession, second row Ben Bamber crossed after an initial break by Nicky Smith.
Quins pressed again but a crucial lineout steal from Courtney Lawes dug the Sharks out of a hole.
Then Chandler Cunningham-South was unable to find Cadan Murley after intercepting George Ford’s pass.
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