Two late tries courtesy of Matt Burke and Jamie Noon earned Newcastle a
deserved win over visitors Leeds.
The Falcons dominated much of the game but frequently failed to make the most
of their ample chances until the decisive late try.
It was a much-needed victory for Rob Andrews' men who had failed to win in any
of their last five Premiership outings.
Leeds opened the scoring after seven minutes when the Falcons were caught
offside at the ruck. Former Newcastle full-back Ken Stimpson kicked the penalty
from 25 metres.
Newcastle responded on 17 minutes after a period of pressure on the Leeds
line. Falcons claimed the line-out and the ball was worked left down their back
line.
Tom May made the extra man and fed Burke, who powered over in the corner.
The Australian international failed to convert his own try.
Leeds were reduced to 14 men on 25 minutes when winger David Rees was harshly
sin-binned by referee Steve Leyshon for entering a ruck from the side.
The Tykes were further hampered four minutes later when England international
winger Iain Balshaw was forced off after a nasty collision in the midfield.
Stimpson edged Leeds in front with a second penalty after the home side were
again caught offside at the breakdown.
Replacement winger Diego Albanese pushed Leeds further ahead when he finished
off some fine work by Rees.
Rees intercepted and made 30 metres down the right touchline, beating three
men in the process.
The ball was recycled and fly-half Gareth Wright made a further incision deep
into the Newcastle 22 before working the ball left for the Argentinian
international to slide over in the corner.
Stimpson's conversion made the score 13-5 to the visitors at the break.
Newcastle started the second half with far more purpose and Michael Stephenson
was unlucky not to score after a clever crossfield kick by Dave Walder.
The Falcons continued to spurn chances until Burke scored his second try of
the day after Phil Dowson had made 20 metres from a quick-tap penalty.
Walder's conversion made the score 13-12 to the visitors.
Stimpson missed with a relatively short penalty attempt two minutes later but
Leeds continued to press and were rewarded with Stimpson's third penalty of the
day.
But then Noon struck on 74 minutes after a searing break from 18-year-old
replacement Matthew Tait.
The ball was worked to Noon in the midfield and the England hopeful ducked
under a challenge from Chris Murphy before turning on the gas and scorching home
under the posts.
Walder's conversion made it 19-16.
Tait was involved again three minutes later when his clever inside pass set up
good field position.
Leeds infringed and Walder made it 22-16.
Burke's third try deep into injury time, converted by Walder, provided
Newcastle with the flattering scoreline.
Teams:
Newcastle: Burke, May, Noon, Taione, Stephenson, Walder,
Grindal, Peel, Long, Ward, Hamilton, Buist, Sititi, Harris,
Dowson.
Replacements: Shaw for Noon (85), Tait for Stephenson (68),
Hurter for Peel (76), Isaacson for Ward (64),
McCarthy for Sititi (64).
Not Used: Parling, Dickson.
Tries: Burke 3, Noon.
Cons: Walder 3.
Pens: Walder.
Leeds: Stimpson, Balshaw, Bell, Snyman, Rees, Wright, Dickens,
Shelley, Regan, Gerber, Morgan, Palmer, Dunbar, Rigney, Popham.
Replacements: Albanese for Balshaw (29), Biggs for Wright (65),
Holt for Gerber (59), Murphy for Morgan (59).
Not Used: Rawlinson, Uys, McMillan.
Sin Bin: Rees (24).
Tries: Albanese.
Cons: Stimpson.
Pens: Stimpson 3.
Att: 6,020
Ref: Steve Leyshon (RFU).
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