Newcastle remain on course for a trophy double after blitzing little-known
French club Mont de Marsan in the quarter-finals of the European Shield.
The Tetley's Bitter Cup finalists produced an efficient, workmanlike display
to see off limited opponents who never recovered from the 18th-minute dismissal
of forward Philippe Alaqui.
The Falcons will go into the hat, along with Harlequins, Narbonne and Agen, on
February 7 for the semi-final draw with high hopes of going one further than
their last-four appearance three years ago.
England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson warmed up for the Six Nations Championship
with a superb all-round performance and centre Jamie Noon showed he ready for an
England debut if injuries rule out Mike Catt and Ian Balshaw.
Noon marked his return from an ankle injury with a series of probing runs and
crunching tackles while Wilkinson provided the final pass for four of his side's
eight tries in addition to kicking seven goals from nine attempts before taking
a breather.
Wilkinson had already carved out the opening try for winger Liam Botham by the
time Mont de Marsan were reduced to 14 men.
Referee Clayton Thomas flashed the red card for a wild punch by Alaqui but had
already had words with the flanker after Newcastle scrum-half Gary Armstrong
complained of being gouged while at the bottom of a ruck.
Touches of Wilkinson class enabled Noon and full-back Dave Walder to add
further tries before half-time, when they led 23-8, and the England ace also
sent half-back partner Gary Armstrong over early in the second half.
The Falcons took advantage of Stuart Grimes' dominance in the line-out to
drive prop Marius Hurter over the line and they added a delightful sixth try
when Walder finished off an 80-metre move initiated by Armstrong.
The French side clearly lacked the creative flair of Fijian wizard Waisale
Serevi, away on World Cup Sevens duty, but caused some early problems for the
Falcons defence, particularly through lively centre Sebastien Loubsens.
It was Loubsens who scored Mont de Marsan's only first-half try, while
fly-half Stephane Prosper kicked a couple of penalties to keep his side in
contention.
But the Falcons, with Rob Devonshire making a fine shield debut, were always
in control.
They led 47-11 after an hour but took their minds off the job in the final
quarter as Rob Andrew rang the changes and the French side took advantage to
grab consolation tries through Pierre-Merlet Bonnan and Christophe Ducamp.
But there was still time for Tom May and Gareth Maclure to add injury-time
tries, both converted by Walder, to emphasise their superiority.
Teams:
Newcastle: Walder, Botham,
Noon, May, Tuigamala, Wilkinson, Armstrong, Ward, Nesdale, Hurter, Grimes, Weir, Devonshire,Mower, Jenner.
Replacements: MacLure for Wilkinson (65),
Charlton for Armstrong (62), Peel for Ward (54),
Howe for Nesdale (41), Graham for Hurter (59),
Vyvyan for Grimes (49), Rule for Mower (65).
Tries: Botham, Noon, Walder 2, Hurter, Armstrong,
May, MacLure.
Cons: Wilkinson 4, Walder 2.
Pens: Wilkinson 3.
Mont-de-Marsan: Merlet, Ducamp, Pomme, Loubsens, Toulouze, Prosper, Castaignede, Emmanuelli, Dehez, Sourgens, Lago, Lalanne, Alaoui, Martin, Le Corvec.
Replacements: Leroy for Pomme (41), Darquier for Toulouze (41), Boizot for Emmanuelli (68), Michaud for Sourgens (68), Parent for Lago (69), Monbeig for Martin (69),Labat for Le Corvec (73).
Tries: Loubsens, Merlet, Ducamp.
Cons: Prosper.
Pens: Prosper 2.
Sent Off: Alaoui (18).
Att: 2,269
Ref: Clayton Thomas (Wales).
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