Just seven days after going down 33-13 in France, Newcastle hammered Toulouse
to register their first Heineken Cup win.
The Falcons scored 27 second half points with three superb tries, and 13 of
their points coming in a five-minute spell as Toulouse were left chasing the
game.
Five first half penalties from Jonny Wilkinson, two of them from 50 metres,
gave Newcastle a half-time advantage.
Both sides had their chances to score tries in the first half and Newcastle
were justifiably aggrieved when referee Rob Dickson stopped them in full flight
10 metres out to give a penalty against Toulouse for a punch on Jon Dunbar.
Playing advantage might have been a better option as far as the Falcons were
concerned.
Toulouse looked dangerous when Xavier Garbajosa cut through at real pace and
chipped ahead but Dave Walder did very well to shepherd the ball as it bounced
into touch in the corner.
Two penalties from Frederic Michalak and one from Michel Marfaing kept the
French side in touch at the break.
Wilkinson's sixth penalty in the 57th minute sparked a Newcastle scoring
frenzy with man of the match Epeli Taione surging out of his own 22 and breaking
three tackles before being pulled down by Nicolas Jeanjean on the line.
Hugh Vyvyan picked up to dive over and Wilkinson converted.
Toulouse skipper Fabien Pelous kneed Vyvyan as he scored and Newcastle were
awarded a penalty on halfway which Wilkinson promptly banged into the corner.
From the line-out the England fly half dropped a goal in the 60th minute to
take Newcastle out to 28-9.
With five minutes of normal time left, Taione broke through again to find
Vyvyan outside and the big lock's inside pass cleared the way for Michael
Stephenson to score and Wilkinson to convert.
In injury time Pat Lam's pass saw Taione gallop in from 50 metres under the
posts.