Newcastle ended their barren run in the Zurich Premiership with an emphatic
victory over Sale at Kingston Park.
The Falcons scored three second-half tries to run out convincing winners but
Sale were very much in the match at half-time when they had limited Newcastle to
a 9-5 lead.
Newcastle's frailty out wide was amply demonstrated as early as the fourth
minute when Sale moved it quickly from a line-out drive and Mel Deane's long
pass sent Mark Cueto over in the corner.
Jonny Wilkinson swiftly made it 9-5 with three penalties in 10 minutes, two of
them enormous belts from halfway.
Newcastle had their chances to build on that lead with a period of pressure
but their lack of control close to the line saw them spill a couple of important
chances as Jamie Noon, Jon Dunbar and Micky Ward went close.
A blistering, bullocking run by Epi Taione almost saw Ward crash over and
Newcastle ran the penalty with Wilkinson on the ground having treatment and a
long pass out to wing should have led to a try but Gareth Maclure and Hugh
Vyvyan got in each other's way and Maclure knocked on.
Wilkinson recovered quickly enough to put in two enormous kicks, with Sharks
pressurising Newcastle as the half drew to a close.
The pressure stayed on and Bryan Redpath was credited with a try after a
prolonged drive by the Sale pack to make it 10-9.
Another massive physical run from Taione ended with the flanker eventually in
touch on the 22 and Vyvyan stole the line-out but Newcastle were penalised for
hanging on just 10 metres out.
They did score a crucial try when Michael Stephenson nearly got clear and the
ball was recycled for Taione, Wilkinson and Maclure to send in Stuart Grimes
under the posts and Wilkinson converted.
Newcastle were on fire now and there was some sublime handling and
inter-passing before Tom May cruised through for the try which Wikinson
converted from the touchline.
The England fly-half was denied a try when referee Steve Lander harshly hauled
the Falcons back for crossing but he showed sublime skills to weave through in
the 66th minute and then converted his own try to effectively seal up the
match.
Teams:
Newcastle: Botham, Stephenson, Noon, May, MacLure, Wilkinson,
Charlton, Charlton, Ward, Brotherstone, Hurter, Vyvyan, Grimes,
Taione, Arnold, Dunbar, Armstrong.
Replacements: Armstrong for Charlton (52),
Armstrong for Charlton (72), Peel for Ward (80),
Devonshire for Arnold (70), Lam for Dunbar (61),
Charlton for Armstrong (57).
Not Used: Tuigamala, Makin, Weir.
Tries: Grimes, May, Wilkinson.
Cons: Wilkinson 3.
Pens: Wilkinson 3.
Sale: Going, Cueto, Deane, Harris, Elliott, Hodgson, Redpath,
Yates, Titterrell, Black, Fullarton, Giacheri, C. Jones,
Wilkes, Pinkerton.
Replacements: Shaw for Harris (71), Hanley for Elliott (71),
Dickens for Redpath (78), Parr for Yates (80),
C. Marais for Titterrell (26), Whittle for Black (78),
Bone for C. Jones (80).
Tries: Cueto, Redpath.
Att: 6,512
Ref: Steve Lander (RFU).
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