All eyes were focussed on former South Africa internationals Mark Andrews and Warren Britz in the run up to a crucial Zurich Premiership encounter but it was Newcastle's regulars who starred in a priceless victory.

Andrews - South Africa's second most capped player - was signed to beef-up the Falcons' lightweight pack and he marked his debut by playing a full part in his side's dominant forward effort until his 50th-minute substitution.

However, laws restricting the number of non-EU players in a team to just two meant there was no place in the squad for Britz - yet to start for the Falcons - who was kept out by Tongan powerhouse Epi Taione.

And Taione's inclusion in the starting line-up paid rich dividends for Newcastle, with the 23-year-old flanker at the hub of the home side's triumph - a result which sees the club takes a massive step towards avoiding relegation.

All the Falcons' tries came from club stalwarts with Stuart Grimes, Hugh Vyvyan, Jamie Noon and Michael Stephenson crossing to secure a maximum five-point haul.

England star Jonny Wilkinson showed his usual composure at fly-half by kicking 12 points, helping to ensure Quins' terrible away record - they have not won on their travels in the league for two years - would continue for another at least another week.

The visitors had a monopoly on possession for the opening five minutes as they pounded away at Newcastle's defence but the Falcons never looked like leaking any points and they eventually cleared the danger.

With Taione prominent, they then surged upfield and went within inches of grounding the ball after a sustained forward drive, but Quins held out.

Referee Tony Spreadbury had spotted an infringement however and Wilkinson made no mistake with his kick which sailed between the uprights.

Paul Burke levelled the score almost immediately after with a fine penalty but the Falcons' confidence was evident when Wilkinson opted to kick for a line-out when a penalty was well within his range.

The gamble backfired as his pack failed to win clean ball at the set-piece but Newcastle's skipper had learnt his lesson and he gratefully accepted the next opportunity to restore his side's lead, landing a sweet long-range effort.

Again, the advantage did not last long as former New Zealand centre Mark Mayerhofler saw his kick charged down in the 27th minute by Quins hooker Tani Fuga who galloped in unopposed, with Burke adding the extras.

The Falcons replied just two minutes later when Scotland second-row Grimes accepted Liam Botham's inside pass before spinning out of a tackle and crashing over for a try improved by Wilkinson.

Wilkinson squandered a penalty opportunity three minutes after the break but the mistake did not prove costly as his side went over for their second try shortly after.

Vyvyan and Botham combined to give Nick Makin a glorious chance of crossing but the hooker stumbled with the line begging.

However Vyvyan, enjoying a fine afternoon despite his positional switch from lock to number eight, was in support and he scooped up the ball and dived over.

Vyvyan was again involved in the 54th minute as Noon started - and finished - his own break, displaying a superb side-step to cut the Quins defence to shreds.

Wilkinson made no mistake with either conversion, stroking one over from the touchline.

Quins' chances of staging a fightback looked remote as their heads dropped in the face of Newcastle's growing enthusiasm, with the crucial bonus point for scoring four tries arriving in the 73rd minute.

Mayerhofler made the initial break, holding up the ball when he was eventually collared before offloading it to onrushing winger Stephenson who raced in at the corner.

Fuga scored a consolation try six minutes into injury, which full-back Nathan Williams converted, but that failed to take any shine off a perfect afternoon for the Falcons.

Teams:

Newcastle: Shaw, Dowson, Noon, Mayerhofler, Stephenson, J. Wilkinson, Grindal, Peel, Makin, Hurter, Andrews, Grimes, Taione, Mower, Vyvyan.

Not Used: Charlton, M. Wilkinson, May, Ward, Hamilton, Thompson, Otuvaka.

Tries: Grimes, Vyvyan, Noon, Stephenson.

Cons: J. Wilkinson 3.

Pens: J. Wilkinson 2.

Harlequins: N. Williams, Moore, Greenwood, Satala, Luger, Burke, Bemand, Leonard, Fuga, Dawson, Davison, Codling, Tiatia, Vos, Diprose.

Not Used: Starr, Evans, Miall, Sheriff, M. Powell, Jewell, Bell.

Tries: Fuga 2.

Cons: Burke, N. Williams.

Pens: Burke.

Att: 6,109

Ref: Tony Spreadbury (RFU).