 Worcester failed to shackle Jonny Wilkinson (right) |
Newcastle: (6) 15
Pens: Wilkinson 4
Drops: Wilkinson
Worcester: (5) 12
Tries: Benjamin, Gear
Cons: Crichton
Newcastle were indebted to fly-half Jonny Wilkinson for salvaging a victory against winless Worcester.
The England fly-half slotted a penalty and drop-goal inside the last 20 minutes to deny the Warriors, who led 12-9 after Rico Gear's converted try.
The Falcons edged the first half 6-5 after two Wilkinson penalties to a try from Worcester wing Miles Benjamin.
But Warriors were unable to shackle Wilkinson and settled for a bonus point to edge away from bottom side Leeds.
Newcastle's fifth victory of the campaign took them above Wasps to seventh in the Premiership.
 | 606: DEBATE |
In the first half, Loki Crichton missed a sixth-minute penalty but Newcastle enjoyed the lion's share of the possession without coming away with points.
Worcester punished Newcastle's lack of precision when Benjamin nipped over in the corner for a 5-3 lead after 29 minutes before Wilkinson slotted a second penalty.
The World Cup star added another just after half-time but he missed a chance to make it 12-5 when his 51st-minute penalty from 45 metres out fell agonisingly short.
The Warriors were on top for much of the second half and had two key chances ruled out when referee Rob Debney decided the ball had been held up on both occasions.
Gear's score took Worcester into the lead but despite some late Warriors pressure, the Falcons equalised when Tom May was taken out off the ball.
And they clinched the win after manoeuvring Wilkinson into position for the drop-goal on the 22.
Newcastle director of rugby John Fletcher:
"I'm obviously happy with the win and we have played a lot better than that and bits of our performance will need looking at - we just never got going and were a bit sloppy. "Jonny Wilkinson's drop-goal near the end was fantastic, but that's what you get with Jonny and our commitment and never-say-die attitude saw us through.
"I feel for Mike [Ruddock] and there is no doubt Worcester will win some games before the end of the season, I'm just glad this wasn't one of them."
Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock:
"We also scored a couple of very good tries and had a couple disallowed. There were some big calls by the referee today. I haven't spoken to him yet but I will. "Our defence was excellent and they never looked like scoring tries. Obviously, we will have to look at the number of penalties we gave away.
"Newcastle made the most of their opportunities but we looked very much a threatening outfit, but it wasn't quite enough."
Newcastle: Tait, May, Visser, Flood, Rudd, Wilkinson, Grindal, Golding, Long, Hayman, Perry, Sorenson, Parling, Woods, B. Wilson.
Replacements: Thompson, Ward, Tomes, Winter, Dickson, Jones, Phillips.
Worcester: Delport, Gear, Rasmussen, Tuitupou, Benjamin, Crichton, M. Powell, Morris, Lutui, Tuamoepeau, Rawlinson, Gillies, Wood, Sanderson, Hickey.
Replacements: Mullan, Ruwers, Bowley, Quinnell, Arr, Brown, Pennell.
Referee: Rob Debney (Leicestershire)
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