Newcastle (14) 17
Tries: Tu'ipulotu, Swinson Con: Gopperth Pen: Gopperth
Harlequins (3) 17
Try: Monye Pens: N Evans 4

Evans kept Quins in the game with his kicking

Two late penalties from Nick Evans helped Harlequins end their losing run with a draw against Newcastle.

Newcastle established a 14-3 first-half lead with tries from Tane Tu'ipulotu and Tim Swinson, both converted by stand-in captain Jimmy Gopperth.

Evans reduced the deficit with an early second-half penalty and an Ugo Monye try took Quins to within three points.

A long-range Gopperth penalty protected Newcastle's lead but Evans struck two penalties but missed a drop-goal.

Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates:

"I am really disappointed for the players because I think they are responsible for it. Their discipline was really not good enough.

"We played some really good stuff in the first half and then proceeded to give them a load of penalties which were either kickable or created try-scoring opportunities so we have only ourselves to blame.

"We were really the architects of our own misfortune here."

Harlequins head coach John Kingston:

"The background with which we have come into this season has been obviously unique and something that nobody would ever wish on anybody.

"All we want to do now is kick on and play rugby. I hope people watching are thinking Harlequins are quite a positive side.

"The belief that they have which has been a huge part of what they have achieved last season was all there to see. As far as we are concerned that is a big step forward.

"A draw was the absolute least we deserved without wishing to be rude about the opposition. We played some great rugby and we were the better side but it is a draw and it is a start.

Newcastle: A Tait; Amesbury, Vickerman, Tu'ipulotu, Biggs; Gopperth, Young; Golding, Thompson, Ward, Hudson, Swinson, Browne, Wilson, Levi.
Replacements: Bobo for Vickerman (72), Vickers for Thompson (56), Ovens for Ward (35), Sorenson for Browne (72), Balding for Levi (58). Not Used: Charlton, Miller, Brooks.

Harlequins: Monye; Strettle, Lowe, Masson, Camacho; N Evans, Care; Jones, Botha, Lambert, Stevenson, J. Evans, Robshaw, Skinner, Easter. Replacements: Fuga for Botha (62), Guest for Robshaw (62). Not Used: Croall, Johnston, O'Conor, G Williams, Clegg, Drauniniu.

Att: 5,174

Referee: Tim Wigglesworth (RFU)

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