By Leipziger
March 24 2013

For the second game in a row the Falcons needed a late score to see off second-placed opposition, completing a league double over Nottingham on Friday.

The win gives us a 25-point lead at the top of the table and keeps the Falcons on course for a 100-point haul in the regular season. I imagine that's more than we got in our last three or four years in the Premiership.

It also means that out of the play-off candidates, we have done the double over all except Bristol, who visit KP in a few weeks.

Forecasts of heavy snow in Nottingham proved incorrect but in the afternoon light flakes (though in heavy volumes!) began to fall, blown around by a strong wind. Combined with chilly temperatures, it wasn't nice weather for rugby. Presumably, or at least hopefully, they have heating in the changing rooms at Meadow Lane.

The Falcons were forced into a late change with Mark Wilson dropping out, Richard Mayhew coming into the team for a first appearance since the start of February.

Attacking the end with some spectators in, in a ground that was barely a tenth full and had two completely empty stands, the Falcons were first on the scoresheet after less than a quarter of an hour with Tom Catterick taking a pass from Ryan Shortland on the far left at the end of a backs move and beating both the defence and touchline to just about score.

Jimmy Gopperth failed to convert and the lead only lasted a few minutes before Nottingham went on the attack and the Falcons were unable to stop Alex Lewington from getting over the line. The referee moving in for a closer look but eventually gave the try, which Japanese international James Arlidge could not convert.

Nottingham began to take control and pin our team back in our half. Amid a series of scrums Ally Hogg was sent to the bin and as Nottingham continued to probe home captain and former Falcon Brent Wilson was driven over. Arlidge converted.

The Falcons went back on the attack but were unable to find any more points, Oliver Tomaszczyk losing the ball in contact after taking a pass stationary and alone.

Nottingham were 12-5 up at half-time, the first time we've been behind at the interval in a competitive game this season. The coaches certainly had some work to do.

In the second half the Falcons almost completely dominated the home side but Gopperth missed two penalties, the first being from long range but the second one he could normally kick in his sleep from just to the right of the posts 25 metres out.

Off-colour Gopperth finally got one over with his third penalty attempt of the night and then reduced the deficit to just a point as the Falcons' began to ascert more authority in the scrum.

The replacements came and Joel Hodgson and Warren Fury took over the half-back positions. Hodgson looked for a drop-goal as the forwards plugged away but the right position was never found.

Finally, with just minutes remaining, another scrum penalty gave the Falcons the chance to steal a win. Hodgson kicked through the posts and the visitors were ahead for the first time since the opening quarter of the match. Nottingham had no reply and finally the ball was sent into touch in the home 22 to secure the Falcons' 30^th win of the season.

It remains to be seen who will benefit from last night psychologically if we meet the archers in the playoffs, but another win surely has not done the Falcons any harm at all.