Harlequins (9) 23
Tries: Penalty, Guest Cons: Evans 2 Pens: Evans 3
Newcastle (6) 12
Pens: Gopperth 4
 Quins are looking to build momentum after a slow start to the season |
Harlequins saw off Newcastle to record their second Premiership victory in as many weeks. Both fly-halves traded penalties in a tight first half that Nick Evans edged for the hosts to turn around 9-6 ahead at the break. A penalty try extended Quins lead in the second half but two more Jimmy Gopperth penalties kept Falcons in it. Tom Guest clinched the win for Quins with a close-range try just four minutes from time. Harlequins, boosted by their demolition of Exeter at home last weekend, started much the better - taking the lead after five minutes. The Londoners played some ambitious rugby despite the slippery conditions but an infringement at a ruck 40 metres out presented Gopperth with the chance to draw level - which he took - 10 minutes later. It seemed to spur the Falcons on as they created a series of chances, the best of which fell to Jeremy Manning whose hesitation to stretch for the ball cost his side a try.  | 606: DEBATE |
Gopperth then scuffed a chance to put the Falcons in command and he was punished when Evans drilled a penalty for the home side to regain the lead. George Lowe spilled a try-scoring chance from an Evans cross-field kick and despite Quins obvious dominance it was Gopperth who struck next with a huge kick from halfway. Danny Care earned his side their half-time lead when Chris Pilgrim illegally tackled him at the base of a ruck and Evans duly converted. But the Falcons scrum-half came to the rescue after the break when he managed to get underneath the ball after Quins crossed the line. The home side were in control at the scrum and their superiority saw Newcastle prop Jon Golding sin-binned, four minutes after coming on, and then a penalty try awarded after repeated failings of the visitors' set piece. Two more Gopperth penalties gave Falcons the possibility of a losing bonus point and a chance of victory. But Harlequins rallied in the final quarter and Guest's try ensured they climbed to fifth in the Premiership standings.
Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea:
"We did not play brilliantly, but the Premiership is about dogging out some games, doing your job and getting the victory. That's what we did. "Newcastle came here incredibly motivated following last weekend's defeat, and they have some excellent international players. But we go into next week's European competition on the back of consecutive wins. "We're fifth in the table and I did say before the opening game of the season that we would have a proper idea of where we stand after five games. And we do. "We played well enough in the opening three games without getting the results, but now confidence is climbing. Newcastle director of rugby Alan Tait said:
"We were outstanding in one of our best performances of the season. "Just little things that were done by young players let us down, but they will learn fast because you get no mercy at this level. "I was surprised by the penalty try because I felt we'd been as steady as a rock all match. "Then we have an England Saxon sin-binned and are hit with seven points. It turned the game. But I am proud of this performance."
Harlequins: Brown; Camacho, Smith, Turner-Hall; Evans, Care; Marler, Cairns, Johnston, Kohn, Vallejos, Robshaw (capt), Skinner, Easter. Replacements: Williams for O. Smith (68), Jones for Marler (61), Brooker for Cairns (54), Lambert for Johnston (54), Browne for Kohn (71), Guest for Vallejos Cinalli (62). Newcastle: Manning; Fielden, Vickerman, Henderson, Amesbury; Gopperth, Pilgrim; Shiells, Vickers, Ryan, Levi, Swinson, Welch, Pennycook, Hogg. Replacements: A. Tait for Fielden (65), Eves for Vickerman (20), Young for Pilgrim (56), Golding for Shiels (41), Townson for Levi (73), M. Wilson for Welch (13), Brookes for Pennycook (44). Sin Bin: Golding (44). Att: 10,813 Ref: Chris White (RFU).
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