So bad were conditions, the game was switched from the initial venue of Kingston Park to nearby Blaydon and a young Wanderers side went about dominating the early proceedings.
Twice they chose to go to the corner from kickable positions but twice Newcastle got off, Scott Armstrong going agonisingly close to opening the scoring for the visitors.
As is so often the case, having been pinned in for much of the opening quarter, Newcastle worked their way up field for the first time and scored. A series of powerful drives made the hard yards and the Falcons' standout performer James Fitzpatrick slid over on the right.
It certainly wasn't a switch in momentum, however, the Wanderers again threatening with a driving maul and only pulled up five metres short for not using the ball. Funnily enough, this was the point at which they would strike, not only driving Newcastle off their own ball, but continuing the shove over the hosts' line. While the ball wasn't grounded, a penalty try was instead the result and with Will Hooley's conversion the game was level.
Newcastle were getting pinned in and Wanderers pressure either side of the break would ultimately end in a second penalty try and a lead that was no more than they deserved.
Their domination of the set piece was probably worth more but the hosts steadied and dragged themselves back into the game with a penalty try of their own and when a harsh penalty was sent over by Grant Connon just five minutes from time, the Falcons looked like completing a smash and grab, 17-14 ahead.
The Wanderers weren't to be denied though and having all but battered the door down, only James Hallams' illegal efforts halted the score. The replacement prop saw yellow for his troubles and just moments later the visitors struck clinically, McMillan burrowing over from close range for the second Monday running and ensuring the Wanderers' efforts didn't go unrewarded.
TIMELINE
24mins WAND Try Fitzpatrick Con Luveniyali 7-0
30mins WAND Try Penalty Con Hooley 7-7
HALF-TIME FALCONS 7 WAND 7
55mins WAND Try Penalty Con Hooley 7-14
69mins FALC Try Penalty Con Connon 14-14
74mins FALC Pen Connon 17-14
78mins WAND Try McMillan 17-19
FULL-TIME FALCONS 17 WAND 19
