With a number of props unavailable through injury or suspension, it was always going to be a tough ask for the visitors and, up against an experienced Falcons eight, that’s the way it proved.
The teams were greeted by sheets of rain and it was no surprise to see Newcastle keep it tight, particularly as the pack started to get on top.
An early Rory Clegg penalty came courtesy of a scrum against the head and the fly half was back at the tee to convert Danny Barnes’ opening try following a relentless spell of mauling.
That was to end their spell on top though and the Wanderers went close when Cam Dolan’s arcing run from the back of lineout took them within five metres.
Howard Packman also threatened in the opposite corner but on both occasions a slippy ball wouldn’t quite go to hand and Newcastle held out, Clegg also adding a second penalty for good measure.
Having played much of the rugby though, the final points of the half would belong to the visitors. Will Hooley drove the three-pointer through the elements and having re-emerged with the breeze at their backs would go about chipping into the deficit.
A smart move involving Dolan again and Jamie Elliott almost unlocked the door and while Joel Hodgson dropped the latter’s offload, vital territory had been gained and it was the scrum-half who made a telling surge for the visitors’ first try.
Close to the line, it also needed some finishing though and prop Rikki Stout, on-loan from Coventry, broke a tackle and rolled brilliantly to ground.
Hooley added the extras and would quickly cancel out Phil Godman’s penalty to keep his side within three as Falcons defenders went off their feet.
Dolan, Harry Mallinder and Elliott all played their part in another flowing move but just as the hosts were starting to feel the squeeze, their set-piece would put them right back on the front foot.
A series of penalties took them upfield and after a couple of attempts were stopped illegally, Rob Hawkins finally rode a maul over.
A young Wanderers side were struggling to clear their lines fully, not helped by further injuries, and Barnes made the most of the territory to double up before Sebastian Ferreira added the bonus score four minutes from time.
TIMELINE
2mins WAND Miss pen Hooley
12mins FALC Pen Clegg 3-0
20mins FALC Try Barnes Con Clegg 10-0
36mins FALC Pen Clegg 13-0
40mins WAND Pen Hooley 13-3
HALF-TIME FALC 13 WAND 3
46mins WAND Try Stout Con Hooley 13-10
48mins FALC Pen Godman 16-10
50mins WAND Pen Hooley 16-13
58mins FALC Try Hawkins 21-13
70mins FALC Try Barnes Con Godman 28-13
76mins FALC Try Ferreira Con Godman 35-13
FULL-TIME FALC 35 WAND 13
FALCONS Penny; McKenzie, Harris, Tuilagi, Barnes; Clegg, Fury; Fry, Hawkins, Romano, Macleod, Furno, Ferreira, Saull, York
Wafer, Brocklebank, Irving, Snowdon, Tuilagi, Taylor, Godman Connon
WAND Packman; Elliott, Waldouck, Mallinder, Skelcey; Hooley, Hodgson; Stout, Williams, Mercey, Onojaife, Woolford, Nutley, Harrison, Dolan
Marshall, McMillan, Fish, Ludlam, Taylor-Dawes, A Day, Olver, Hutchinson
