A second defeat of the festive period meant we ended 2011 six points behind Worcester, though after their win at Wasps yesterday we trail both of them by 10 points.

Alan Tait was forced to throw boots at just about any back still standing, naming Jeremy Manning on the wing and James Fitzpatrick alongside Luke Eves in the centres, with only two backs on the bench. Richard Mayhew was back in the starting lineup and Adriaan Fondse made his first start in a black shirt.

The Saints, missing the banned Chris Ashton, still named a very strong side featuring a number of internationals and ex-Falcons, including Tom May, who was a late call-up to the bench on his first return to KP.

Ryan Lamb opened the scoring with a penalty before an overthrown lineout (one of many) Saints moved to the left and Ben Foden ran in for the day's first try, converted by Lamb.

The Falcons hit back and Suka Hufanga and Rob Vickers both made attempts at the line, but we had to initially be content with a penalty by Jimmy Gopperth.

Hufanga, who performed well on the day, did score his first try for the Falcons with 20 minutes gone, beating the defence down the left.

Gopperth missed what seemed a simple conversion and was denied a try when Hufanga and Eves set him up to touch down, only for play to be brought back for a Falcons offside.

Lamb and Gopperth exchanged penalties before the break, making the half-time score 11-13.

Grant Shiells and captain James Hudson, who appeared to take a knock early on, did not emerge for the second half, being replaced by Ashley Wells and Tim Swinson respectively.

Within a few minutes of the restart, Gopperth knocked over a penalty to give the Falcons the lead for the first time. Seven home games unbeaten?

No. Gopperth failed to find touch with a penalty from our 22 and since it goes without saying that no Falcon even thought about chasing the ball, the Saints were provided with an attacking platform. Foden touched down from a dribble by Lamb, who converted the score.

Soane 'Stand up' Tonga'uiha was next over, being driven in from close range on the left.

The Falcons kept plugging away but couldn't get back on the scoresheet. Gopperth pulled a penalty wide.

In the dying minutes May, on as a late replacement, scored his third try of the season against his former employers. The former black took a pass at close range and was certainly delighted to have secured his new side's bonus point.

Stephen Myler, on for Lamb, hit the conversion and condemned us to a 14-32 defeat.

Those among the 6,017 at KP who got their tickets for Christmas may not be thanking the giver. Many probably won't be back for Exeter following Saturday's showing.

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