A rampant Bristol side ran in six tries as they destroyed Newcastle at the Memorial Ground.

The Falcons were missing the likes of Steve Brotherstone and Stuart Grimes in the pack and Jonny Wilkinson behind the scrum because of injuries and international duty.

And Bristol took full advantage, rattling up 31 first-half points with five tries, two of them from Phil Christophers.

The rout started when Felipe Contepomi's delightful chip through was finished off by a diving Andy Higgins.

Newcastle's Earl Va'a kicked a ninth-minute penalty but Christophers went over for Bristol's second try in five minutes and Contepomi converted.

The Falcons defence was shattered again when Contepomi cruised through from a five-metre scrum and the Argentine converted his own try.

Injured count rises

Hall Charlton then lost the ball on his own 10-metre line and Bristol swept it wide for Brendon Daniel to score Bristol's fourth.

Newcastle's problems worsened when Va'a limped off after 34 minutes with what looked like a pulled hamstring and then Arnold was forced off with a knee injury.

And when Contepomi broke through the middle again and moved it wide, Christophers slid in for his second try and the Argentine converted from out wide.

Newcastle were then rocked by another injury when their hooker Matt Thompson hurt his shoulder.

Agustin Pichot's speed of pass in three phases of rolling attacks ended with a wriggling run for Higgins to score his second try.

Newcastle finally got a try on the board when Taione was twice involved in a move which saw the big Tongan force his way over. Liam Botham converted.

Bristol: E. Bergamaschi, Johnstone, Crompton, Archer, A. Brown, Salter, Short, Oakley, Pichot, Contepomi, Christophers, Gibson, Higgins, Daniel, Best.
Replacements: Skuse, S. Morgan, Nelson, C. Morgan, Richards, Shaw, Drahm.

Newcastle: Peel, Thompson, Hurter, Hamilton, Springgay, Dunbar, Arnold, Vyvyan, Charlton, Va'a, Stephenson, May, Noon, Botham, M. Wilkinson.
Replacements: Grindal, Godman, Ward, Makin, Otuvaka, Dowson, Taione.

Referee: Tony Spreadbury (RFU)