Last-gasp Flood penalty snatches dramatic Newcastle win

ENGLAND fly-half Toby Flood kicked a last-minute penalty as Newcastle snatched a vital victory in their battle against relegation and prevented Leicester going top of the Guinness Premiership.

It signalled the end of a great comeback by the Falcons who were 26-13 down at one stage in the second half.

Newcastle director of rugby John Fletcher claims Flood “has to be in with a shout” of playing for England in the RBS 6 Nations Championship after he won the battle of the fly-halves yesterday.

England discard Andy Goode kicked 21 points, scoring a try, two conversions and four penalties, but Flood matched him exactly – and landed that massive kick to seal a magnificent Falcons comeback from 26-13.

Flood has just two caps but Fletcher reckons he is in with a real chance of being in the England number 10 shirt next month.

“Toby has to be in with a shout when it comes to being in the England team or the squad for the Six Nations,” said Fletcher.

“Given the other contenders he has to have a real chance and he will be able to handle it – he has two international caps and approaching something like 50 appearances in the Premiership.’’

Fletcher also had words of praise for his side after their second-half comeback. He added: “We pride ourselves on the character in this squad and we know we will always keep on going.

“I’ve said it before that any side can beat any other side in this league but it’s very rare that you beat Leicester by anything more than one score.

“I’ve told the lads not to go overboard because the result could have gone either way and let’s not forget we are at Welford Road in three weeks time.’’

Missing out on going top was of no concern to Tigers head coach Pat Howard. “It doesn’t matter who is first or second in the table at present, it matters who is in the top four at the end of the season,” he said. “And we’re in the right part of the table.

“Europe is now the focus and that’s what we’re thinking about, not whether we are first or second in the Premiership.

“The result was disappointing but Newcastle took their chances well and deserved their victory.”

Newcastle scorers — Tries: Flood, Rudd 2. Cons: Flood 2. Pens: Flood 4.

Leicester scorers — Tries: Goode, Lloyd. Cons: Goode 2. Pens: Goode 4, Vesty.

NEWCASTLE: Elliot, May, M. Tait, Mayerhofler, Rudd, Flood, Grindal, McDonald, Thompson, Ward, Sorenson, Oakes, Parling, Woods, Winter.

Replacements: Crighton for Elliot (62), Dickson for Grindal (62), B. Wilson for Parling (72).

LEICESTER: J. Murphy, Lloyd, Smith, Vesty, Rabeni, Goode, Ellis, Moreno, Chuter, Castrogiovanni, Cullen, Hamilton, B. Deacon, Moody, Corry.

Replacements: A. Tuilagi for J. Murphy (72), Gibson for Rabeni (46), Bemand for Goode (72), White for Moreno (46), Kay for Hamilton (56), Jennings for B. Deacon (72).

Referee: S. Davey (RFU).