Deano: We won’t get carried away
Tries from George McGuigan and Ben Stevenson, plus a late Brett Connon penalty, helped seal a memorable 15-14 triumph in Devon, the director of rugby saying: “The thing now is not to get carried away, which I don’t think we will.
“We’ve come away and beaten a good side, but it’s only one game and we’ll park it pretty quickly.
“The boys are delighted and it will give us a lot of confidence, but competitions aren’t decided in November. We’ll move on to the next game and look to build a season, and we won’t rest on our laurels.
“What it does show is that we’re not in bad shape, and I was really happy with how the young lads came through.
“Guys like Will Montgomery and Cam Kelemeti took their chances, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Asked who would have been his man of the match, Richards was quick to praise skipper Will Welch, saying: “I thought Welchy captained the team brilliantly.
“He got some crucial turnovers, got through a ton of work and just did the right things at the right times.
“You want your skipper to lead by example, and that’s precisely what he did.
“He would probably be my man of the match if I was pushed to pick one, but it’s hard to do that because I thought they were all outstanding.”
Drawing 7-7 at half-time and trailing with 10 minutes to go, Richards added: “We made a strong start and were good value for our lead around that half-hour mark, but it was the last 10 minutes of the first half during which we allowed them to come back into the game.
“We talked at half-time about confidence, and repeating the kind of start to the half we’d seen during the first period.
“I was pleased that the boys came out with their tails up determined to give it a good go, rather than going into their shells.
“It was an exciting second half all the way through, not helped by them getting a penalty with the clock past zero.”
Forced to endure a torturous climax as the home side were awarded a penalty 55 metres out with the clock past zero, the Falcons boss said: “I don’t know how they can call a deliberate knock-on when the ball goes backwards, but there you go.
“Luckily it didn’t change the result, and I’m surprised Exeter didn’t kick for goal, to be honest.
“They’ve got guys in their side who could have a go from there, but we’re not complaining!”
Newcastle Falcons are next in action on Saturday when Wasps visit Kingston Park Stadium in Premiership Rugby Cup action. Tickets for the 3pm kick-off are available by [**clicking here.**][1]
[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/EDP/Event/Index/1659
