Newcastle (9) 15
Pens: Gopperth 5
Leeds (16) 16
Try: To'oala Con: Ford Pens: Thomas 3

The try from To'oala (right) separated Newcastle and Leeds

Alfie To'oala's lone try handed bottom-of-the-table Leeds victory after Newcastle's Kingston Park was cleared of snow for their Premiership clash.

Sleet continued to fall as Jimmy Gopperth and Ceiron Thomas exchanged penalties, as Newcastle twice lost the lead within moments of scoring.

To'oala drove home from close range and replacement Joe Ford converted to put Leeds ahead late in the first half.

Two more Gopperth penalties closed the gap after the break but Leeds held on.

Ford could have made sure of the win when Newcastle once again gifted Leeds a penalty straight from the restart at 15-16.

He pushed his kick wide, but even without Henry Paul - sin-binned nine minutes from time for obstruction - the away side fought off a desperate Newcastle to record their second victory of the season.

Though Bath beat Gloucester to stay ahead of Leeds in the league, Andy Key's men have closed the gap on 10th-placed Worcester.

Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates:

"It took a really big effort to get the game on but I don't think you can criticise the players for coming up short.

"It was just a lottery out there. We have had guys come off frozen and walking straight into the shower it was that bad.

"It could have gone either way and conditions were nearly impossible towards the end. We're not going to go away and change everything."

Leeds director of rugby Andy Key:

"We will face Bath next weekend looking for that fourth win and with a lot of confidence. Win that and we have every chance of avoiding relegation.

"To not concede a penalty in that last five minutes while under pressure was a hugely rewarding experience.

"The win is massive and brings a bit more belief into the side. This is a game of inches and today we have inched towards being a side who can compete in this league."

Newcastle: Tait, Bobo, Vickerman, Tu'ipulotu, Amesbury, Gopperth, Young, Golding, Vickers, Hayman, Hudson, Swinson, Afu, B. Wilson, Levi.

Replacements: Biggs for Bobo (61), Charlton for Young (63), Welch for Afu (67).
Not Used: Walker, Ward, Shiels, Sorenson, Miller.

Leeds Carnegie: Hinton, Armstrong, Rabeni, H. Paul, Blackett, Thomas, Gomarsall, MacDonald, Rawlinson, Gomez, Lund, Wentzel, Myall, Fourie, To'oala.

Replacements: Mathie for Rabeni (66), Ford for Thomas (34), Ma'asi for Rawlinson (68), McGee for Gomez (59), Clark for Myall (68), Oakley for To'oala (61).
Not Used:Hardy, Fa'afili.

Sin Bin: H. Paul (71).

Att: 8,766.

Ref: David Rose (RFU).

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