By Mally (13/12/02)
December 14 2002

To progress further in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup Newcastle Falcons need to beat Treviso by 19 points, from a fans point of view the question is do we really want them to? Falcons are currently 12th in the Premiership table, and will have to work hard to get out of the relegation spot. Survival in the Zurich Premiership has to be the main goal for this season. European glory can wait.

Or can it? A win would be a huge confidence boost, and it is said that success breeds success, and let's face it none of us enjoy watching our team lose. So can the Falcons beat Treviso?

Falcons Team for Sunday

15 Jamie Noon, 14 Liam Botham, 13 Tom May, 12 Mark Wilkinson, 11 Joe Shaw, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Hall Charlton, 1 Ian Peel, 2 Nick Makin, 3 Marius Hurter, 4 Craig Hamilton, 5 Stuart Grimes, 6 Jon Dunbar, 7 Phil Dowson, 8 Hugh Vyvyan.

Replacements

James Grindal, Epi Taione, James Isaacson, Micky Ward, Rob Devonshire, Soa Otuvaka, Steve Jones

This is a pretty patched up Falcons side, with Stephenson, Wilkinson, Walder, Maclure, Thompson, Arnold, Brotherstone and Richardson all out injured, and the new signings not allowed to play, Rob’s options have been somewhat restricted.

Going by the score-line it would be easy to assume last weekend’s match was a whitewash. However this was not the case, Falcons did put pressure on Treviso, and according to the match report had several chances to score.

So can Falcons win? The answer, of course, is yes, but it will not be easy. Treviso have proven that they are no pushovers. To win the team will have to make the most of their opportunities and get points on the board. Kingston Park can be a fortress, and the home advantage should give Falcons the edge. While I doubt we’ll make up the 19 point deficit I do expect to the team to give us something to cheer about on Sunday!

COME ON FALCONS!!!!