BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Newcastle 24-16 Leicester

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Last Updated: Friday, 24 February 2006, 21:34 GMT

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Newcastle 24-16 Leicester

MATCH SUMMARY

Newcastle (15) 24
Pens: Burke 7
Drop: May

Leicester (9) 16
Try: Tuilagi
Con: Vesty
Pens: Humphreys 3

Matt Burke kicked seven penalties to give the Falcons a scrappy win over a depleted Leicester side.

The Australian full-back kicked five in a dour first half, while Leicester's Ian Humphreys kicked three, as referee Ashley Rowden's whistle dominated.

The Falcons increased their lead after the break with another Burke penalty and a drop goal from Tom May.

Henry Tuilagi's try eight minutes from time gave Leicester hope but Burke's 76th-minute penalty sealed victory.

Newcastle coach Rob Andrew:
"It was much better - if we'd played like that last Sunday we'd have won.

"It wasn't easy, but Leicester never are easy, but I thought we were the better team pretty much all the way through the game.

"We were very focused but we couldn't score a try. Every time we got near the line, Leicester gave a penalty away."

Leicester coach Pat Howard:
"You expect your depth to do better - we still had a good side out.

"We had four British Lions out on the paddock and plenty of internationals. We should have done better.

"Earlier in the year we tried a few guys. You'd expect them to do better."

Newcastle: Burke (capt); May, Tait, Mayerhofler, Elliott; Flood, Grindal; Ward, Long, Morris; Perry, Parling; Finegan, Woods, Buist.
Replacements: Charlton for Grindal (64), Williams for Ward (71), Thompson for Long (71), Grimes for Parling (68), McCarthy for Finegan (64).
Not Used: Phillips, Walder.

Leicester: Vesty; A Tuilagi, Smith, Hipkiss, Lloyd; Humphreys, Healey (capt); Rowntree, Buckland, Morris; L Deacon, Kay; Abraham, W Johnson, Jennings.
Replacements: Dodge for Smith (58), Bemand for Humphreys (65), Taikaufa for Buckland (59), Holford for Morris (64), Cullen for Kay (55), H Tuilagi for Johnson (65).
Not Used: Skinner.

Att: 10,200

Referee: Ashley Rowden (RFU).

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