Felipe Contepomi recovered from a nightmare first-half performance to inspire
Bristol's fourth successive Premiership home win.
The Argentinian international fly-half missed four penalties and a gilt-edged
try opportunity before recovering his poise.
He finished with 17 points - a try, three conversions and two penalties - as
Newcastle finished a distant second best.
Touchdowns from skipper Gareth Baber and wing David Rees underlined Bristol's
dominance, while Newcastle had to content themselves with a Tom May try, plus
two penalties and a drop goal by England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson.
Bristol should have been comfortably ahead inside 10 minutes, but Contepomi
missed two comfortable penalty chances and also knocked on with Newcastle's
try-line at his mercy after Baber freed him in space.
It was a shameful waste, yet he went from bad to worse, slicing a penalty
attempt in front of Newcastle's posts.
The Falcons had already punished Bristol before Contepomi's fourth blunder.
Number in Sydney eight Jim Jenner drove from a line-out, Wilkinson shipped
possession on and May cut back inside for an impressive try.
Contepomi eventually found the target on 22 minutes, giving Bristol belated
reward for their territorial dominance, but they deserved far more.
Newcastle were content to absorb Bristol's forward-orientated pressure, using
Wilkinson and his half-back partner Gary Armstrong as counter-attacking
weapons.
The home side kept plugging away and, not deterred by an angled Wilkinson
drop-goal, they hit back impressively.
Newcastle managed to halt rampaging flanker Adam Vander from close range, yet
skipper Baber reacted quickest and touched down.
Contepomi's conversion put Bristol ahead for the first time as they chased a
fifth league win this term. Unfortunately for them, it could have been so much
better.
Another Contepomi penalty miss - his fourth - came during first-half
injury-time after Bristol saw their impressive number eight Ben Sturnham limp
off.
Newcastle, looking to head the chasing pack in pursuit of runaway Premiership
leaders Leicester, knew they had escaped lightly from a half that Bristol
dominated.
Wilkinson and Contempomi exchanged penalties during early flurries of the
second period, then Contepomi struck a potentially decisive blow.
Bristol substitute Spencer Brown made headway through the heart of Newcastle's
defence, Baber rifled possession out and Contepomi this time made no mistake,
catching and diving over.
The fly-half's conversion gave Bristol a nine-point cushion, and a platform to
build an even stronger lead. They duly delivered.
Full-back Lee Best, inspired by Brown's break, set off on a weaving run of his
own, before further slick passing sent former England wing Rees sprinting over
in the corner on 57 minutes.
Contepomi could now do nothing wrong, effortlessly landing the touchline
conversion and giving Newcastle a mountain to climb.
Wilkinson's second penalty success dented the lead, sparking an overdue spell
of Falcons pressure, but poor midfield approach work hampered Newcastle in their
salvage mission.
The Newcastle handling also deteriorated, a massive source of frustration for
watching boss Rob Andrew, and Bristol comfortably collected four welcome
Premiership points.
Teams
Bristol: Best, Rees, Simone, Mayer, Nabaro, Contepomi, Baber,
Johnstone, McCarthy, Crompton, Archer, A. Brown, Salter,
Vander, Sturnham.
Replacements: S. Brown for Simone (43),
Fullman for Crompton (59), Sheridan for Archer (69),
C. Short for Sturnham (39).
Not Used: Williams, Dewdney, Bowen.
Tries: Baber, Contepomi, Rees.
Cons: Contepomi 3.
Pens: Contepomi 2.
Newcastle: Stephenson, Taione, Botham, May, Tuigamala,
Wilkinson, Armstrong, Ward, Nesdale, Hurter, Grimes, Weir,
Arnold, Mower, Jenner.
Replacements: Walder for May (58), Graham for Ward (49),
Howe for Nesdale (58), Vyvyan for Weir (49),
Cartmell for Mower (65).
Not Used: Charlton, Peel.
Tries: May.
Pens: Wilkinson 2.
Drop Goals: Wilkinson.
Att: 3,687
Ref: Brian Campsall (RFU).
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