LV= CUP
Newcastle (3) 3
Pens: Miller
Wasps (3) 9
Pens: Walder 3

Browne and Veale battle for possession in Sunday's error-strewn encounter

Wasps edged Newcastle in an uninspiring LV= Cup clash with both teams knowing a semi-final spot was unattainable.

Alex Tait was denied a first-minute try when the hosts were pulled back for crossing but they took the lead soon after with a Rob Miller penalty.

The Falcons dominated the first-half but Dave Walder levelled the scores with a penalty just before the break.

Both sides used the second half to run their benches and Walder kicked two more penalties to wrap up the victory.

Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates on playing his fringe players:
"The four weeks of this competition were all about giving some players a run and others a rest and that's worked.

"Some of our younger players have put their hands up and some of our fringe players have been given valuable game time. It was pretty close today and Wasps just edged it. The players are pretty frustrated and tired."

Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks:
"They did a great job and it was hard to get any pace going on that pitch and in the conditions, but we won it in the end.

"The next four weeks is all about building towards the end of the season and making the play offs, but we have to play well over those four weeks to achieve our objectives."

Newcastle: A. Tait, Williams, Vickerman, Tu'ipulotu, Amesbury, Miller, Charlton, Ward, Walker, Thompson, Browne, Levi, M. Wilson, B. Wilson, Afu.

Replacements: Gopperth for A. Tait (57), Biggs for Williams (57), Bobo for Tu'ipulotu (61), Pilgrim for Charlton (44), Shiels for Ward (41), Hayman for Thompson (41).

Not Used: Brooks, Williamson.

Wasps: Pens: Walder 3.

Wasps: van Gisbergen, Smith, Jacobs, Kefu, Lemi, Walder, Robinson, Taulafo, Ward, Baker, Veale, Ward-Smith, Odejobi, Matthews, Ellis.

Replacements: Elder for van Gisbergen (60),

Hickey for Kefu (66), Honeyben for Robinson (41), Bocca for Taulafo (55), Lindsay for Ward (35), Broster for Baker (72), Mitchell for Ward-Smith (60), Whitehead for Ellis (71).

Att: 4,651

Ref: Andrew Small (RFU).

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