Two-try hero Jamie Noon was the inspiration as Premiership Newcastle cruised
past amateur side Rosslyn Park in the Tetley's Bitter Cup fourth round.
The aristocratic visitors did prove that even in the cut-throat world of
professionalism, generosity is not dead they set the tone of the good-natured
game by donating their £6,000 share of the gate to the hosts.
Despite starting without star names such as Inga Tuigamala and England
stand-off Jonny Wilkinson, the Falcons eased into an early lead as they tricked
their way through Park's brave defence.
Thomas Epi Taione, with his acceleration and unpredictable angles of running
proved an extremely slippery customer and soon engineered the first points.
As Taione cast his spell, taking out the last tackler, Liam Botham switched
wings and provided the support to score an eighth-minute try.
Ten minutes later Newcastle should have gone further ahead but for Noon's
wasteful handling with the goalline at his mercy.
But the visitors did not have to wait long to extend their try count as Doddie
Weir plunged over on the left.
Five minutes before the interval came the first of Noon's brace of tries,
picking up a miss pass to dash 60 yards home.
But that effort was instantly forgotten as Park made their reply.
Lock James Hayes found himself unexpectedly lumbering towards the line as he
emerged from a ruck with the ball.
Solid ball retention from Park provided flanker Lysander Strong with the
touchdown as they drove into goal.
The try provided the hosts with confidence after the break, but they lacked
penetration, and when former Scotland captain Gary Armstrong scampered through
to provide Noon with his second, the game was beyond Park's reach.
Teams:
Rosslyn Park: Maddock, Henderson, Thompson, Marval, Justice,
Hallett, Campbell, Fennell, Ritchie, Cano, Hayes, Gibson,
Strong, Rollitt, Rakison.
Not Used: Cooke, Kearns, Joint, Boardman, Mooar, Hendy, Adams.
Tries: Strong.
Cons: Hallett.
Pens: Hallett, Mooar.
Newcastle: Stephenson, Botham, Noon, May, Taione, Devonshire,
Walder, Armstrong, Ward, Nesdale, Hurter, Vyvyan, Weir, Jenner,
Mower.
Not Used: Charlton, Beattie, Wilkinson, Tuigamala, Howe, Peel,
Cartmell.
Tries: Botham, Noon 2, Weir.
Cons: Walder.
Pens: Walder.
Att: 1,500
Ref: Tony Speadbury (RFU).
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