Newcastle advanced to the semi-finals of the Tetley's Bitter Cup at Kingston
Park on Sunday afternoon, coming from behind to beat a valiant London Irish.
Returning England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson led the charge, scoring a cheeky
try and landing 18 points with the boot as the 1999 runners-up secured a
last-four clash with northern rivals Sale.
After struggling for most of the opening half hour, Rob Andrew's young charges
eventually took command, even surviving the late sin-binning of flanker Richard
Arnold, who saw yellow for the fifth time this season.
London Irish started with 14 members of the team which finished the 19-17
Premiership victory over the Falcons last Tuesday.
Newcastle had Wilkinson back following his successful exploits with the
England squad over the past three weeks.
The inspirational fly-half's deadly boot had already put his side in front by
the time Gareth Maclure was stretchered from the field.
Maclure, whose presence on the right wing shunted Liam Botham into the centre,
went down after attempting to tackle Justin Bishop.
After receiving treatment for five minutes, he was eventually carried from the
field wearing a neck brace to the clear concern of home director of rugby Rob
Andrew.
The break seemed to break Newcastle's concentration and, with their pack
dominant, the Exiles enjoyed their best spell of the game.
Paul Sackey embarked on two powerful runs down the right touchline, almost
reaching over with the second.
Eventually Irish crossed, courtesy of Newcastle's failure to gather a ball
which had come loose at their own scrum.
Visitors' skipper Junior Tonu'u pounced and galloped 10 metres to the line
with the Falcons rearguard still wondering what was going on.
Barry Everitt added the conversion to his equalising penalty, putting his side
in control.
Wilkinson reduced the arrears with his second penalty just past the half hour
but it took a blistering midfield burst from Va'aiga Tuigamala to put his side
in front again.
The Samoan held off two tackles and turned to feed Botham, who sprinted home
for his seventh try of the season.
Wilkinson converted and added another penalty seven minutes into first-half
injury-time, although he did blot his copybook with a wayward attempt from just
20 metres when even the Irish side were setting off upfield for the restart.
Everitt failed with a simple penalty attempt shortly after the break and by
the time he next stepped up 10 minutes later, the game was almost out of reach.
Irish only had themselves to blame, turning their backs as Newcastle were
awarded another penalty within easy Wilkinson kicking range, only to turn and
see the stand-off race to the mark, tap the ball to himself and trot over the
line unopposed.
Exiles coach Dick Best responded by introducing four replacements at the same
time, although prop Simon Halford lasted barely 60 seconds before suffering a
leg injury which forced his removal.
Tuigamala's interception and 40-metre dash almost sent Tom May scuttling over
but the centre was hauled back by desperate Irish defence.
But the security which the visitors enjoyed in the opening stages had
disappeared and only a grim battle against inevitable defeat remained.
Wilkinson landed another penalty just past the hour and though Arnold was took
an enforced rest for a professional foul, Newcastle were still in control,
Tuigamala driving through a huge hole in the Irish defence to score under the
posts.
Bishop finished off a flowing length-of-the-field move to grab the final score
for the Exiles in stoppage time but it was scant consolation.
Newcastle:
Tries: Botham, Wilkinson, Tuigamala.
Cons: Wilkinson 3.
Pens: Wilkinson 4.
Team: Stephenson, MacLure, Botham, May, Tuigamala,
Wilkinson, Armstrong, Ward, Nesdale, Hurter, Vyvyan, Grimes,
Arnold, Mower, Jenner.
Replacements: Taione for MacLure (9).
Not Used: Charlton, Walder, Howe, Cartmell, Graham, Weir.
Sin Bin: Arnold (69).
London Irish:
Tries: Tonu'u, Bishop.
Cons: Everitt 2.
Pens: Everitt 2.
Team: Cunningham, Sackey, Oliver, Wright, Bishop,
Everitt, Tonu'u, Hatley, Alexopoulous, Hardwick, Fahrensohn,
Delaney, Halvey, Allen, Bates.
Replacements: Worsley for Hatley (53),
Sheasby for Delaney (53), Flavin for Halvey (42),Williams for Bates (53).
Not Used: Campbell, Ashforth, Halford.
Sin Bin: Alexopoulous (40).
Att: 3,293
Ref: Ed Morrison (RFU).
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