NEWCASTLE FALCONS 10

Guinness 'A' League

Franklin's Gardens

Monday, October 10, 2005

Wanderers notched their second home five-pointer of the season tonight, putting four tries past a dogged Newcastle Falcons.

And yet much of the first half was filled with frustration for the home side. They led the Falcons in terms of possession and territory, but spilled ball and determined Newcastle defence meant that three gilt-edged chances went begging.

Indeed, when the Beacon Bingo caller's voice came out of the ether midway through the half, it looked that a call of "house!" would be the biggest cheer the home fans would have.

Time and again powerful breaks by the likes of Rhodri Davies, John Rudd, Ben Jones and the lively Paul Diggin came to maddening ends within sight of the whitewash, no more so than when Luke Myring had the ball dislodged in a desperate tackle metres short.

Falcons were 10 points to three up by the half-hour, thanks to two unconverted Jason Smithson tries. The scores were identical, coming from penalties kicked to the corner, and lineout drives which opened space down the blindside for Smithson to barrel his way over.

Wanderers had to wait until first half injury-time for their efforts to pay off. A high tackle on Rudd galvanised the big winger, and he came charging off his flank to crash over. Rudd was then instrumental in Wanderers’ second try, hurtling into midfield to set up a ruck by the posts from which Luke Harbut burrowed over for his first Northampton score. Myring converted both and Wanderers went into the break 17-10 up.

It was one-way traffic after the break, thanks in no small part to Ed Williamson’s yellow card. That allowed Jones and Mark Hopley to create space for Rudd to score his second try, again converted - this time by Patston - and a 14-point advantage.

Despite the healthy lead and an increasing dominance of possession and territory, Wanderers rode their luck somewhat. Diggin did well to haul down Eni Gesinde, and the hosts were fortunate when Greg Irvin's pass to Cameron Johnston bounced off the winger's head.

It took until the 67th minute for Wanderers to secure the bonus point, but it was a try worth waiting for. A free kick led to an incision into Newcastle's defence, and Mark Easter benefited from some sharp handling to score, again between the sticks. Patston converted once more for the final 21-point margin.

Teams:
Wanderers - Diggin; Vilk, Mallon, Davies (Barnard 24mins), Rudd; Myring (Patston 40mins), Jones (Bishop 68mins); Beech, Hartley, Harbut (Sturgess 40mins), Lord (Easter 40mins), Rae, Seely (capt)(Beattie 51mins), McNamee, Hopley (Thompson 61mins).

Newcastle Falcons - Harrison; Johnston, Dehaty, Wilkinson, Laycock; Beasley, Dickson (capt); Wilson, Mackie (Batty 40mins), Brown, Tomes (Dawson 50mins), Buist, Gesinde, Williamson, Smithson (Irvin 40mins).

Scorers:
Wanderers - Tries: Rudd (2), Harbut, Easter; Cons: Myring (2), Patston (2); Pen: Myring.

Newcastle Falcons - Tries: Smithson (2)

Yellow card:
Williamson (42mins)

CLOCKWATCH:
4mins Falcons Try Smithson 0-5
9mins Wand: Pen Myring 3-5
30mins Falcons: Try Smithson 3-10
40mins Wand: Try Rudd; Con Myring 10-10
40+6mins Wand: Try Harbut; Con Myring 17-10
42mins Falcons: Yellow card Williamson
43mins Wand: Try Rudd; Con Patston 24-10
67mins Wand: Try Easter; Con Patston 31-10