Cup holders Newcastle called on the old brigade to steer them to within 80
minutes of a return to Twickenham after passing a searching examination by
outsiders Leeds in today's quarter-final at Headingley.
The Falcons were clinging to a tenuous 22-14 lead when director of rugby Rob
Andrew sent on former internationals Pat Lam, Gary Armstrong and Va'aiga
Tuigamala - men with a combined age of more than 100 years - to steady their
fraying nerves.
Within 10 minutes Tuigamala had scored the crucial try, a spectacular 70-metre
effort, to book Newcastle's trip to the Madejski Stadium for the March 9
Powergen Cup semi-final double-header.
Flanker Epi Taoine, fresh from his three-week ban imposed for fighting, had
sparked the try by collecting a Steve Bachop chip deep inside his own half and
he climaxed an all-action display by racing over for his side's third try 10
minutes from the end.
Tuigamala then claimed his second try in injury time to clinch the win and
give the Falcons a flattering margin of victory.
Newcastle thus succeeded where Leicester and Saracens, among others, had
failed this season but the Tykes, battling to avoid relegation from the
Premiership, matched the holders stride for stride for an hour.
Newcastle's acting captain Jonny Wilkinson, who came out on top in his
much-heralded 'battle of the boot' with Springbok Braam Van Straaten, scored 17
first-half points to put the Falcons seemingly in control.
Wilkinson, leading the side with Lam on the bench, missed with his first shot
at goal but took advantage of the stiff breeze to land a conversion and five
penalties from nine attempts.
The Tykes, breaking new ground by playing in the quarter-finals for the first
time, made a lively start with England A scrum-half Scott Benton back in the
starting line-up for the first time for two months.
They took the lead on 10 minutes when crisp passing along the line created an
overlap and winger Dan Scarborough took Isaac Feaunati's pass to cross for the
game's first try. Van Straaten missed the conversion but kicked two penalties to
keep the Tykes in touch.
Newcastle's only first-half try came from second rower Stuart Grimes, who
popped up in support after full-back Dave Walder had been held just short of the
line.
Van Straaten reduced the arrears to just eight points early in the second half
but missed two crucial efforts and Feaunati's failure to touch down after a
massive scrum push proved to be the Tykes' last chance to spring an upset.
Andrew rang the changes and saw instant dividends when Jamie Noon and Dave
Walder worked Tuigamala over for his first try against the run of play and
Wilkinson's touchline goal opened up a 15-point gap.
When Walder sent in Taione, there was no way back for the Yorkshiremen and,
although centre Jamie Mayer grabbed a consolation try, Newcastle had the final
say when Tuigamala claimed his second try.
Teams
Leeds: Benson, Scarborough, Mayer, van Straaten, Emmerson,
Bachop, Benton, Wring, Luffman, Fullman, Jones, Palmer, Hogg,
Hyde, Fea'unati.
Replacements: O'Reilly for Benton (70), Holt for Luffman (55),
Kerr for Fullman (55), C. Murphy for Jones (55).
Not Used: A. Popham, A. Popham, Davies, Woof.
Tries: Scarborough, Mayer.
Cons: van Straaten.
Pens: van Straaten 4.
Newcastle: Walder, Stephenson, Noon, May, MacLure, Wilkinson,
Charlton, Ward, Balshen, Hurter, Vyvyan, Grimes, Taione,
Arnold, Dunbar.
Replacements: Tuigamala for Stephenson (52),
Armstrong for Charlton (53), Lam for Arnold (52).
Not Used: Makin, Peel, Graham, Weir.
Tries: Grimes, Tuigamala 2, Taione.
Cons: Wilkinson 3.
Pens: Wilkinson 5.
Att: 4,183
Ref: Steve Leyshon (RFU).
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