BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Daniel leads Bristol to victory

Newcastle 12-20 Bristol

Bristol's Brendon Daniel was his side's hero
Brendon Daniel scored three crucial tries for Bristol

Bristol winger Brendon Daniel was the star of the show as his hat-trick of tries inflicted more misery on struggling Newcastle.

The Falcons, who have now suffered three home defeats in a row, are rooted to the foot of the table while Bristol are on a roll.

But there was controversy over Daniel's crucial third try which came when Newcastle were battling back into the game at 15-12.

Darren Crompton clearly knocked on but Bristol were allowed to go on with Daniel going over for what proved to be the match-securing score.

We really needed Brendon's hat-trick

Bristol coach Peter Thorburn

Bristol looked the sharper side from the start with Felipe Contepomi kicking a 13th minute penalty while Daniel linked up well with Daryl Gibson and Phil Christophers for his opening try.

Liam Botham kicked the first of his four penalties shortly afterwards but just before half-time, Newcastle were made suffer.

A cheeky chip through by Shane Drahm bounced between Botham and Jamie Noon and Daniel capitalised to go over.

Contepomi's conversion made it 15-3 before Botham reduced the deficit again.

Match facts

Newcastle 12(6)
Pens: Botham (4)

Bristol 20 (15)
Tries: Daniel (3)
Conv: Contepomi;
Pen: Contepomi

Newcastle continued to fight, thanks to the kicking of Botham and they looked to have scored a try through Tom May but the ball had gone forward.

But then after 64 minutes, with Newcastle on the attack, Phil Godman's pass to the wing was knocked down by Crompton.

The ball rebounded to Daniel who capitalised to go and score in the corner.

Newcastle were left chasing the game and their hopes of a bonus point disappeared in injury time when Botham's penalty attempt went wide.

Newcastle: Shaw, Botham, Noon, May, Stephenson, Godman, Charlton, Peel, Christian, Hurter, Vyvyan, Grimes, Dunbar, Dowson, Arnold.
Replacements: Grindal, Va'a, Isaacson, Devonshire, Thompson, Hamilton, Ward.

Bristol: Drahm, Daniel, Higgins, Gibson, Christophers, Contepomi, Pichot, E. Bergamaschi, Johnstone, Crompton, Archer, A. Brown, Salter, Short, Oakley.
Replacements: Skuse, Nelson, S. Morgan, Beattie, Carrington, Rees, Hodgson.

Referee: Chris White (RFU)


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