Newcastle (11) 26
Tries: Goosen, Hudson, Fielden Cons: Gopperth Pens: Gopperth 3
Leicester (11) 27
Tries: Slater, Salvi, Mafi Pens: Twelvetrees 4

Newcastle's losing bonus point is their first return from three Premiership outings

Leicester sneaked their first Premiership win of the season in a scrappy encounter at Newcastle.

Ed Slater crossed in the corner for Tigers, after Jimmy Gopperth and Billy Twelvetrees exchanged penalties, before Greg Goosen hit back for the hosts.

James Hudson's try put Falcons ahead after the break but Julian Salvi's try wrestled the lead back for the Tigers.

Luke Fielden won the foot race to score the hosts' third before Steve Mafi went over for the decisive try at the end.

The defeat leaves the Falcons floundering at the bottom of the table and extends their losing Premiership run to 10 games - an unwanted club record.

The two teams were evenly matched in the first half but Twelvetrees misfired with the boot three times to allow the hosts to stay in touch.

Both sides spurned good attacking ball but Slater's try was well worked as the Tigers' quick ruck ball stretched the Falcons' defence right and then left.

With the score at 8-6 to the visitors, Goosen sped through after an equally well-executed move by Newcastle's midfield.

Leicester converted a penalty before half time to tie the scores at 11-11 but Twelvetrees was off target once more after the break and was made to pay when Hudson powered over from short range and Gopperth added the extras.

Leicester dug deep and worked flanker Salvi over the line but Twelvetrees, faced with an elementary conversion, rattled the posts to leave Newcastle 18-16 ahead.

The outside centre made amends on the hour mark with a 22m penalty before the hosts hit back and earned good ground from some fizzing phases and were rewarded with the lead from Gopperth's third penalty.

Fielden narrowly beat George Ford to touch down Gopperth's kick to give Falcons a 26-22 lead but the touchline conversion missed.

Leicester came again and inched their way to the Falcons' line before putting Mafi over in the corner but Twelvetrees missed the conversion.

One point behind and with seconds remaining the hosts manoeuvred Gopperth into position for a drop-goal but the chance was spurned with a pass above his head.

Newcastle: Goosen; Fielden, Eves, Fitzpatrick, Tait; Gopperth, Pilgrim; Shiells, Vickers, Wells; Hudson, Swinson; Wilson, Welch, R. Mayhew.

Replacements: Sheriffe for Fielden (66), Pasqualin for Pilgrim (47), Hall for Wells (70), Hogg for Wilson (55).

Leicester: Hamilton; Forsyth, Twelvetrees, Allen, Morris; Ford, Grindal; Stankovich, Chuter, White; Slater, Skivington; Mafi, Salvi, Waldrom.

Replacements:Young for Grindal (60), T. Youngs for Chuter (66), Brookes for White (41), Kitchener for Skivington (39), Holford for Brookes (45).

Att: 4,214

Ref: John Paul Doyle (RFU).

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version