By Leipziger
December 23 2013

The Falcons' are still searching for a first Premiership try since late October after Saturday's 16-3 defeat toExeter.

The Chiefs were not firing on all cylinders, but did not have to in order to secure a first win in six matches as Newcastle's late fightback was not enough to steal a losing bonus point.

Dean Richards brought back all of his first team after the European break, though Andy Saull made only his second league appearance of the season to keep Will Welch on the bench. Ally Hogg captained the side with Scott Lawson, Rob Vickers, Kieran Brookes, Mike Blair, Danny Barnes and Carlo del Fava all coming in to the starting line-up. Jamie Helleur returned from injury as a replacement.

The Falcons went on the attack early on but Barnes' pass to Noah Cato was just an inch or two too far in front of the winger, andExetertook full advantage of a visit to the Falcons' danger zone with a penalty from Gareth Steenson as the home pack exerted authority.

The lead was doubled within a few minutes.

Phil Godman sent two kickable penalties to the corner with the Falcons looking to avoid a fourth Premiership outing without a try, but the first line-out was stolen by the home side. The second was driven towards the line and after the maul collapsed, the ball was brought right only for Alex Tait to take an excellent hit from Luke Arscott, and Haydn Thomas punted the loose ball forward. The Falcons were penalised and Steenson added another three points. Falcons Director of Rugby Richards was annoyed by a run of decisions and had words with the fourth official, but it made no difference to his side's performance.

With the half-time whistle beckoning, Godman managed to get the visitors on the scoreboard with a penalty to make the interval score 9-3. The Chiefs looked to be suffering a hangover from their two bruising Heineken Cup encounters withToulonbut the Falcons, after eight tries in two meetings with Calvisano, had reverted to their kick-and-defend style for much of the first half, and were desperately lacking finishing quality when they did manage to attack.

Steenson missed an early penalty after the break, the ball falling short and the Falcons managing to clear the danger from the onrushing home side, while another home attack broke down following a knock-on in a tackle. However, the day's first (and only) try came ten minutes after the restart. With the Chiefs bearing down on the away line, and the Falcons' defence drifting left to follow the direction of the attack, Thomas stole into a small gap between the ruck and the post to touch down. Steenson converted.

The Falcons continued to be their own worst enemy in the final quarter of the field, overthrowing a line-out just metres from theExeterline, and dropping key passes under pressure from the dogged home defence. Andy Saull had perhaps the best chance, butExeterforced an error to alleviate the danger. The advantage of a heavy wind in the second half was not telling.

Replacement Fetu'u Vainikolo almost took the game way out ofNewcastle's reach in the final few minutes with a long break but the away defence managed to keep the Chiefs out, but further attempts for a losing bonus point broke down and the Falcons' run of low-scoring, pointless Premiership defeats was extended to four matches.

Merry Christmas!

No pre-Christmas cheer for tryless Falcons

Discussion started by FalconsRugby.org.uk , 23/12/2013 17:38

FalconsRugby.org.uk
23/12/2013 17:38

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Monkey1
23/12/2013 21:28

Quote:

The Falcons continued to be their own worst enemy in the final quarter of the field, overthrowing a line-out just metres from theExeterline

Is this stupid tactic ever going to change? Time after time we get an attacking line out close to the try line & lob the thing to the back of the line, fail to collect, and fail to score. Just to give a clue as to how long this has been going on, Charvis used to be the one who was awake enough to collect these overthrown (wasted) balls on a regular basis.

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