Joe Simmonds kicks deep into Newcastle's half to get the second period under way.

The teams are back out at Sandy Park.

Exeter are 40 minutes from Twickenham, Newcastle are 40 minutes from their season coming to an abrupt end.

Let's get cracking again...

John Lockyer
Former Exeter Chiefs captain on BBC Radio Devon

It's been fabulous rugby from Exeter, their forwards have been so powerful and their pack have dominated things.

We all said Exeter have got to stop Newcastle from getting any of the ball but Exeter's scrummage has been brilliant, the line-out has been fabulous - they have hardly made a mistake today.

A great performance.

They've had a poor first half at Sandy Park, but it's still been a great season for the Falcons.

When Dean Richards took over at Newcastle in the summer of 2012, both parties were at a crossroads.

After the Falcons enjoyed Premiership success in the early years of professionalism, the glories of the late 1990s were faded memories.

Richards, meanwhile, had been to the heights of multiple European successes with Leicester and turned Harlequins from a Championship outfit to a top-flight contender - but found himself having to rebuild his reputation following the 'Bloodgate' scandal.

Our man Matt Newsum has spent the past week finding out why they've since turned out to be the perfect match...

Here are the half-time stats and they make grim reading for Newcastle fans...

Image source, .

Just to add to that, Exeter have only had to make nine tackles so far!

It's a Premiership semi-final and their tackle count isn't even in double figures. Ridiculous.

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport at Sandy Park

A score made and finished in Australia.

Today is Lachie Turner's final home game before leaving the Chiefs and his excellent run set up the pressure that resulted in fellow former Wallaby Nic White going over.

A try at a key time just as Newcastle thought they had weathered that period with 14 men.

That Nic White try moments before the break has given Exeter Chiefs the kind of lead they would've wanted to show for their first-half superiority.

Newcastle Falcons have defended brilliantly, but in truth they've been nowhere near it so far. Absolutely nowhere near it.

Exeter gather the ball from the restart and the half-time whistle is just a few moments away...

Lachlan Turner bursts through from full-back and Newcastle are having to backtrack at pace. Exeter could be in here...

And now Newcastle win a penalty at the breakdown! But again - AGAIN! - they then lose possession from the line-out and Exeter are back on the ball.

Now then, here come the Chiefs surging forward...

Image source, Getty Images

Following an initial reset, Exeter draw the penalty at the scrum and Joe Simmonds kicks to touch.

Evan Olmstead will be allowed to return in three minutes.

The Falcons get the ball back soon enough, but then Niki Goneva - the Premiership Player of the Season - spills it and it'll be a Chiefs put-in on halfway.

If Dean Richards can get his troops in at half-time 9-0 down I suspect he'd take that now.

As Brent says, this could be a crucial 10 minutes or so coming up. Newcastle have already survived three minutes down to 14 men.

This is a strange one from Toby Flood, though. After just three phases of possession on halfway Flood opts to kick long and, as he's slightly off target, Exeter regain the ball and come roaring back.

This is not the Newcastle we've been watching all season.

Scott Wilson is lifted onto the stretcher and carried off the field. He's wearing a neck brace so, needless to say, every precaution is being taken with the Newcastle prop.

Image source, Getty Images

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport at Sandy Park

The next 10 minutes might well be the most important in this game.

If Exeter can take advantage of their extra man they could well open up a margin that might be too much for the Falcons.

Joe Simmonds' attempt splits the sticks and Exeter's lead continues to build.

Meanwhile, there's some concern over Falcons prop Scott Wilson, who's receiving some lengthy treatment here, delaying the restart as a result...

Joe Simmonds bursts through the Newcastle defensive line to pull Exeter within 10 metres of an opening try.

The Falcons just about get bodies back to him, but Evan Olmstead dives out of the ruck to deliberately knock scrum-half Nic White's attempted pass on.

Olmstead is yellow-carded and Simmonds has another chance to kick at goal...

John Lockyer
Former Exeter Chiefs captain on BBC Radio Devon

The lead is fully justified - Exeter have had most of the territory, most of the ball, they've played most of the rugby.

In fact I don't think apart from the kick-off that Newcastle have been in the Exeter 22.

Image source, Rex Features

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter won't be entirely happy with their slender six-point advantage considering how much possession and territory they've enjoyed, but the defensive investment Newcastle have had to put in will surely tell at some stage.

The Chiefs are back in the Falcons half...