 | MATCH SUMMARY Wasps: (8) 21
Tries: Sackey 2, Dawson
Pens: Van Gisbergen, Staunton Newcastle: (6) 6
Pens: Burke 2 |
Paul Sackey scored twice as Wasps won for a third straight time to end Newcastle's run and stay abreast of Sale at the top of the Premiership. The winger got Wasps off to the perfect start when he crossed on three minutes. Newcastle full-back Matt Burke kicked two penalties to put the Falcons ahead but Mark van Gisbergen's three points on 37 minutes restored Wasps' lead.
Sackey scored again five minutes after the restart and Matt Dawson's try in the closing stages sealed victory.
The game, watched by England coach Andy Robinson, was not exactly inspiring fare for the capacity crowd at the Causeway Stadium.
However, Josh Lewsey impressed with a lively display at inside centre while open-side flanker Joe Worsley did enough to stake his place in the squad for the Six Nations.
Newcastle, who went into the game on a run of six straight wins in all competitions, struggled to create much and were on the back foot from early on when Sackey finished off after Burke's mistake.
Both sides struggled to find any rhythm in treacherous conditions but Sackey crossed following half-time after Lewsey's break to put Wasps in control.
Substitute scrum-half Dawson finished the game off when he broke from half-way and traded passes with Alex King before sliding over in the left-hand corner.
Wasps coach Shaun Edwards (on Joe Worsley): "His defence was incredible and I thought he was outstanding." Newcastle boss Rob Andrew, who had to field rookie Toby Flood at fly-half because of injuries to Jonny Wilkinson and Dave Walder:
"Jonny adds an awful lot of energy and spark to our game, whereas Dave is more of a tactical kicking fly-half and Toby is still getting used to operating at this level. "I'm disappointed because we came here hoping to get something out of the game.
"We've improved a lot in the last six weeks but Wasps beat us in the loose both offensively and defensively and we could have done with more control."
Wasps: Van Gisbergen; Sackey, Lewsey, Abbott, Voyce; Staunton, Reddan; Mackenzie, Barratt, Bracken; Shaw, Skivington; Hart, Worsley, Dallaglio.
Replacements: Erinle for Abbott (61), King for Staunton (68), M Dawson for Reddan (68), Ibanez for Mackenzie (80), Va'a for Bracken (40), Purdy for Skivington (61), Rees for Purdy (70).
Newcastle: Burke; Phillips, Noon, Mayerhofler, Tait; Flood, Grindal; Ward, Long, Morris; Perry, Parling; Finegan, Harris, Jarvis.
Replacements: Wilson for Morris (66), McCarthy for Finegan (40), Thompson for Harris (51).
Not Used: Buist, Woods, Richardson, Shaw.
Sin Bin: Long (47).
Att: 10,000
Ref: Wayne Barnes (England).
MMIX
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