Newcastle shrugged off the absence of England superstar Jonny Wilkinson to
grind out a priceless Heineken Cup away win at a rain-lashed Rodney Parade.
With Wilkinson recovering from another worrying injury - a haematoma in his
right bicep - the Falcons did him proud and got their Pool Five campaign off to
an outstanding start.
Flanker Mike McCarthy's charge-down try after 37 minutes proved the
difference, and Newcastle held on despite having lock Luke Gross sent off during
a scoreless second period.
Gross was dismissed by Irish referee Donal Courtney in the 67th-minute. Gross
and opposite number Ian Gough had freely exchanged punches in a toe-to-toe
brawl, but Gross departed for bringing his knee into Gough's face.
The Falcons also suffered more than their fair share of injuries, with props
Micky Ward and Marius Hurter going off. Front-row forwards Ian Peel and hooker
James Isaacson both had to return to the action, despite initially being
replaced.
There was prolonged confusion on the touchline before Isaacson returned, as
officials checked replacement regulations, but in the end, Newcastle got what
they wanted - a victory against mounting odds.
For the Dragons, it was a massive setback following their five-match unbeaten
Celtic League run, and with trips to Perpignan, Edinburgh and Newcastle ahead of
them, quarter-final ambitions look bleak.
Newcastle, resigned to being without Wilkinson for around six weeks, called up
his faithful fly-half understudy Dave Walder.
Injury problems at hooker meant that Isaacson wore the number two jersey, but
the Falcons paraded a strong back division, including an exciting centre
partnership of Jamie Noon and 18-year-old Mathew Tait.
The Dragons, currently second in the Celtic League, were captained by
experienced flanker Jason Forster, while there was a huge weight of expectation
on in-form half-backs Ceri Sweeney and Gareth Cooper.
Torrential rain drenched the ground for at least three hours before kick-off,
producing a treacherous surface and difficult conditions that looked unlikely to
relent.
Newcastle though, made a bright start and went ahead on five minutes when
Australian World Cup winner Matt Burke slotted a short-range penalty after the
Dragons drifted offside.
The Dragons produced an immediate riposte, courtesy of wing Hal Luscombe's
try-threatening run, and despite the Newcastle defence keeping him out, Ceri
Sweeney slotted an equalising penalty just four minutes later.
Mistakes were inevitable, given the weather, but Newcastle gave as good as
they got, with Burke showing all his experience to produce an immaculate display
in defence under the high ball.
Even without Wilkinson, Newcastle's general kicking game was of a solid
standard, and although the Dragons had an edge up-front, the Falcons proved
resilient opponents.
And they took the lead just before half-time, courtesy of the Dragons pressing
the self-destruct button.
Luscombe, under pressure near his own line, threw out a hopeful pass to
full-back Kevin Morgan, but he was immediately challenged by three Falcons
attackers, and a hurried clearance kick rebounded off McCarthy who reacted
quickest to touch down.
The half ended, though, with Dragons number eight Richard Bryan distinctly the
worse for wear following an off-the-ball incident that appeared to involve
Falcons back-row forward Phil Dowson.
With a citing commissioner in place for Heineken Cup games this season,
neither Newcastle nor Dowson might have heard the last of it, especially as he
has recent history having been sent off and banned after receiving a red card
against Zurich Premiership opponents Bath.
Sweeney then kicked his second penalty to make it 10-6 in Newcastle's favour
at half-time.
Newcastle changed from white jerseys into sky blue for the second period, and
made two interval substitutions, with Hurter taking over from Peel and Matt
Thompson replacing Isaacson.
The forward exchanges continued at a furious pace in stamina-sapping
conditions, but Newcastle lost Ward - meaning a quick return for Peel - and
Dragons' South African star Percy Montgomery sent a 40-metre penalty narrowly
wide, allowing the Falcons to preserve their four-point advantage.
Dragons coach Chris Anderson changed both his props as the third quarter
neared its conclusion, sending on Adam Black and Chris Anthony, but Newcastle
still held the upper hand.
The closing stages were dramatic and frenzied, yet a soaking afternoon in
Wales ultimately proved a triumph for Newcastle's resilience.
Teams:
Newport-Gwent D'gons: Morgan, Wyatt, Montgomery, Tuipulotu,
Luscombe, Sweeney, Cooper, Snow, Jones, Thomas, Gough, Owen,
Ringer, Forster, Bryan.
Replacements: Brew for Luscombe (71), Baber for Cooper (80),
Black for Snow (56), Richards for Jones (71),
Anthony for Thomas (56), Beattie for Bryan (71).
Not Used: Sidoli.
Pens: Sweeney 2.
Newcastle: Burke, May, Noon, Tait, Stephenson, Walder, Grindal,
Peel, Isaacson, Ward, Gross, Grimes, McCarthy, Charvis, Dowson.
Replacements: Charlton for Grindal (52), Hurter for Peel (41),
Thompson for Isaacson (41), Sititi for McCarthy (59).
Tries: McCarthy. Cons: Burke. Pens: Burke.
Not Used: Hamilton, M. Wilkinson, Taione.
Sent Off: Gross (67).
Att: 8,298
Ref: D Courtney (Ireland).
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