Barry Everitt kicked all London Irish's points with six penalties and two drop
goals as Newcastle produced an error-strewn performance to end their recent
revival.
Newcastle found themselves 6-0 down in the opening quarter to two Everitt
penalties as London Irish made the most of their early chances with the Falcons
struggling to hang on to the ball in a couple of promising attacking positions.
But then a couple of powerful runs from Tongan Epi Taione took Newcastle deep
into the Irish 22 and Taione took a quick penalty for the ball to be worked
wide. Jamie Noon slid in at the corner for the try which Jonny Wilkinson
converted from the touchline.
He then added a 50-metre penalty and another from closer in to give Newcastle
a 13-6 lead but then Everitt struck a fine drop goal to make it 13-9 and added a
penalty in first half injury time for 13-12 at the break as Newcastle needlessly
ran it out of defence and Wilkinson was caught hanging on in the tackle.
He put London Irish in the lead just after half-time with his fourth
successful penalty when Wilkinson hit touch on the full and Irish ran it back to
put Newcastle under pressure and they conceded the penalty.
Wilkinson's up and under caused chaos and Taione nearly broke through. Marius
Hurter drove on and Michael Stephenson's drop-goal shot was just wide.
More pressure from the Newcastle forwards led to a penalty and Wilkinson edged
the Falcons back in front at 16-15.
Irish should have scored when Mike Horak surged through the middle but Liam
Botham put in a superb tackle and the ball went forward for Newcastle to breathe
again.
Referee Robon Goodliffe then reversed a penalty when Nick Makin trampled all
over a ruck and Everitt kicked the penalty for 18-16.
Wilkinson was short with a penalty but Newcastle staged a frantic finish with
some powerful runs from Taione, Stephenson and Noon.
However an 80th-minute drop goal from Everitt as Newcastle again lost the ball
in their own half sealed the match for the Irish.
And then in the seventh minute of injury time, Newcastle capped a miserable
day by giving away a silly penalty which Everitt kicked to deprive them of a
bonus point.
Teams
Newcastle: Noon, Taione, May, J. Wilkinson, Stephenson, Godman,
Charlton, Peel, Brotherstone, Hurter, Hamilton, Grimes, Dunbar,
Arnold, Vyvyan.
Not Used: Grindal, Botham, Ward, Makin, Devonshire, Dowson,
Otuvaka.
Tries: Noon.
Cons: J. Wilkinson.
Pens: J. Wilkinson 3.
London Irish: Horak, Sackey, Burrows, Venter, Bishop, Everitt,
Edwards, Worsley, Drotske, Halford, Strudwick, Kennedy,
Gustard, Dawson, Sheasby.
Not Used: Barrett, Mapletoft, Cockle, Flavin, Delaney, Hatley,
Durant.
Pens: Everitt 6.
Drop Goals: Everitt 2.
Att: 4,550
Ref: Robin Goodliffe (Sheffield).
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