By Leipziger
October 6 2013

 A second away win of the Premiership season helped Newcastle pull seven points clear of bottom-placed Worcester yesterday after the Falcons held on for a tight win at a dispirited Sixways.

Despite another tricky middle period of the game in which they struggled to get back their early ‘fizz’, Mike Blair’s try and eleven points from the boots of Rory Clegg and Phil Godman were ultimately enough for victory in this early-season relegation battle.

Dean Richards gave Rob Vickers a first start in the number one shirt against former Falcon Euan Murray, one of only two changes from the team that lost to Gloucester. The other was Carlo del Fava replacing Scott MacLeod, although Ryan Shortland did return from injury to the bench.

As they had done six days earlier, the Falcons began on the front foot and Clegg knocked over a penalty in the opening minutes. Further pressure on the Worcester line saw Mike Blair dive through a mass of bodies and get the ball down on the white, and all of a sudden the visitors were 0-10 up in front of a shell-shocked home crowd and some boisterous away support.

The Falcons built their dominance on the power of James Fitzpatrick, Dom Barrow and Carlo del Fava, with Matt Thompson and Mark Wilson also adding some nice touches around the field.

Clegg’s second penalty increased his side’s lead but then Worcester began to make more headway upfield, led by the pace of their backline, Josh Drauninui on the right wing looking a particular threat. Although the Warriors preferred to kick to the corner for most of the day, Ignacio Mieres went for a penalty but his kick went wide, though the fly-half was successful with his second attempt from just in front of goal.

A dribble from Chris Pennell into the goal area saw the full-back take a tumble despite no contact from Fitzpatrick, but the referee was more concerned about whether Tom Catterick had beaten an onrushing attacker to the ball in the goal area, and fortunately for the Falcons the correct decision was made and no try was given.

Further pressure from Worcester however saw Oliver Tomaszczyk sin-binned in the final minutes of the first half. The Falcons held out however to go in at half-time 3-13 up, a scoreline that would surely have an impact on both sides’ morale.

In the second half though, it was the Dean of Ryan whose side immediately came out fighting and Mieres reduced the deficit to seven points with another simple penalty after referee Martin Fox played a long advantage in the away 22.

Although Worcester were continuing to attack, there was a feeling among the away fans that the Falcons’ defence would not be breached twice. Pennell and Catterick had chances for their teams, but the next try came from David Lemi, who livened up his own quiet performance by squeezing over on the far left, though replacement fly-half Paul Warwick was unable to convert from out wide on a mixed day for the Warrior kickers.

This was a blow for the resolute men in the Newcastle defence but heads did not drop and with five minutes left, the Falcons won a penalty in front of goal and Phil Godman, on with Warren Fury to see out the game, kicked an easy three points to extend the lead back to five.

Worcester came back on the attack and took a scrum from five metres out in front of goal when awarded a penalty. In front of the roaring Geordie fans, the Falcons were able to win the ball with time running out. As the seconds ticked down, Ally Hogg held the ball in the Falcons’ scrum on the away line and when the clock hit zero Fury held off pressure from Cam Goodhue to kick dead.

The Falcons had secured a crucial win in a game that might have been low on pure quality, but which was high on entertainment and tension.

Falcons pull away from the bottom

Discussion started by FalconsRugby.org.uk , 06/10/2013 10:49

FalconsRugby.org.uk
06/10/2013 10:49

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Monkey1
06/10/2013 11:02

Quote:

...in front of a shell-shocked home crowd and some boisterous away support.

Listening to the commentary, our support sounded excellent & for much of the game was louder than the resident supporters.

Well done to all involved.

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