By Simon
March 16 2003

The Newcastle - Tigers game at Kingston Park was make or break for both clubs. Newcastle started the game bottom of the table and couldn't afford to lose ground on the teams above them. For Tigers a win, and preferably a bonus point, was needed to keep them in sight of third position in the league. The line up for Tigers contained a couple of surprises. Craig McMullen started at fly half in place of Sam Vesty, who was relegated to the replacements bench. There was no Tim Stimpson and Geordan Murphy was named at full back, only for Steve Booth to replace him before the game had even started. The game kicked off in good conditions, leaving us hopeful for plenty of tries. It took a while for the first score to come, but when it did it was a try to the Tigers. The backs were getting plenty of ball and from a scrum close to the try line the ball was passed across to Steve Booth, who was able to run through the outnumbered defenders. McMullen converted the try to give the Tigers an early 7-0 lead.

The Tigers celebrations were shortlived, however, as they conceded a penalty immediately from the restart and the ever excellent Johnny Wilkinson came forward to collect the three points. Things were to get worse a short time later as Falcons spun the ball wide and created an overlap from which a try was scored by Stephenson. Tigers were probably having more of the possession, though, and on two occasions in the first half they were attacking a few metres from the Falcons try line and recycled the ball through many phases, but the Falcons defense was resolute. Eventually a mistake was made both times, the first time when the ball went wide to Leon, who seemed distracted by the Newcastle defenders running at him and couldn't catch the ball, the second when Leon held on to the ball when support didn't reach him in time. Tigers did score through a Booth penalty which crept over the bar and the half ended 13-10.

The second half followed a similar pattern. The ball was getting to the backs, but they were unable to create any space. Newcastle were defending very well and there seemed no way through. Tigers seemed able to string together many phases but found themselves continually going sideways rather than forwards. Newcastle looked up for the game and were the ones to score the next try. The ball was kicked forward and the bounce deceived Sam Vesty, who had just come on, allowing Noon to outpace Freddie and get the score. Newcastle also added a Johnny Wilkinson drop goal to their score.

Rob Andrew must be teaching his players the ways of the evil Tigers as first Mark Andrews was sinbinned, apparently for the use of his shoulder at a ruck, and then Andrew Mower saw yellow for fighting, a decision that was not popular with the Newcastle supporters. With the backs not making any headway the forwards resorted to the rolling maul and the tactic seemed to be working with Dorian West scoring two tries. Falcons had got another three points through a Wilkinson penalty so with only a few minutes remaining Tigers only trailed by two and an improbable victory seemed possible. It was not to be, though, and Tigers were pegged back in their own half until a penalty was conceded. Wilkinson kicked the ball out and Newcastle had picked up a deserved 24-22 victory. The only consolation for the Tigers supporters who had made the long journey north was that the game was at least entertaining, if somewhat frustrating. It was good to see McMullen put in a solid if unspectacular performance to show that we have some options at fly half. We might have to wait for the return of Austin Healy before some real invention is seen in the backs play, though. Ollie Smith was taken off with a shoulder injury and we can only hope it won't keep him out for long. Tigers man of the match for me was Steve Booth who had a lively performance at full back and seemed the most likely to break through the Newcastle defence.

The win lifted Falcons off the bottom of the table with London Irish now at the bottom, although they have a game in hand over second from bottom Bath. Tigers managed to get their bonus point, although unfortunately it was the wrong sort. They stay fourth and are eight points behind Wasps, although with a game in hand. For the Tigers third place now seems a long way away.