First-half strength does it for Newcastle

NEWCASTLE 19 PERPIGNAN 14

Newcastle Falcons recorded a magnificent 19-14 win over French visitors Perpignan thanks to a dominant first-half forward display.

Even without the injured Jonny Wilkinson the Falcons were dominant for much of the game. They went in front from the first minute but it needed a determined second-half defensive performance to secure the win.

Newcastle opened the scoring in the first minute after Australian international full-back Matt Burke was tackled late after a kick ahead. Burke kicked the resulting penalty to make the score 3-0 to the home side.

The Falcons played some fluent rugby in the opening stages, capitalising on some poor Perpignan kicking. Centre Jamie Noon made one bulldozing run through the midfield, making 30 metres and setting up good position deep into Perpignan territory. But the move broke down as the ball was shipped left and Perpignan centre David Marty got a hand to the ball.

Newcastle’s first try came after they stole a Perpignan line-out ten metres out from the French try line. The forwards rumbled the ball forward, sucking in the Perpignan defence. The ball was worked left to 18-year-old centre Matthew Tait, who jinked inside and then out before outpacing the Perpignan defence and scoring in the left corner. Burke converted to make the score 10-3.

The visitors responded almost immediately through their own Australian import, Manuel Edmonds. Scrum-half Nicolas Durand took a quick tap penalty and moved the ball on to Edmonds. The fly-half sliced open the Newcastle defence before rounding full-back Burke and bouncing off the covering Michael Stephenson to score. He was unable to convert his own try.

Another Burke penalty on 27 minutes kept Newcastle in front 13-8.

Perpignan lock Rimas Alvarez-Kairelis was lucky to stay on the pitch on the half-hour mark after he clearly stamped on Jamie Noon after a tussle on the ground. However, Welsh referee Nigel Whitehouse missed the incident and the lock escaped punishment.

Burke kicked another penalty on 31 minutes after Perpignan were penalised for killing the ball on the floor.

Burke and Edmonds both missed penalty chances early in the second half, as the attacking play of both sides began to stutter.

Tom May came close after a clever break from Burke following another poor Perpignan kick. Burke fed May who chipped ahead, but he was unable to gather his kick and the ball was knocked into touch five metres from the Perpignan line.

Another Noon break on 59 minutes nearly resulted in a Newcastle try.

Craig Hamilton stole a Perpignan line-out and Walder fed Noon with a neat slip pass. Noon powered his way through the Perpignan midfield and set up a forward drive. However, Perpignan’s second line of defence held firm and the Falcons were unable to ground the ball over the line.

Perpignan kept in touch with a penalty from Diego Giannantonio, taking over the kicking duties from Edmonds, setting up a tense final 15 minutes with the scores at 16-11.

Dave Walder eased the pressure for Newcastle on 75 minutes to edge them 19-11 with a penalty.

And a Nicolas Laharrague drop goal two minutes from time kept the visitors interested but despite constant Perpignan pressure, Newcastle held out for an important win.