Quins have won the last nine meetings between the two sides at The Stoop

Newcastle Falcons head coach Alan Tait has revealed his pride in his players, despite seeing their losing run at Harlequins extended to nine games.

Falcons' 23-12 loss means their last win at The Stoop remains their 20-18 victory in September 2000, and Tait was left to rue a missed opportunity.

"They were outstanding, that was one of the best performances of the season," he told BBC Newcastle.

"Youthful exuberance cost them at times and I feel sorry for this side."

Tait added: "A win like that that would have lifted their tales for the rest of the season; we had chances where we could've made more of it.

"I'm chuffed to bits with their effort, but at the end of the day this level takes maximum concentration, and the penalties we gave away to let them out of their half were disappointing."

Meanwhile, Tait's decision to operate Jeremy Manning at full-back was rewarded by a sterling display from the New Zealand-born back.

Manning, 25, joined the Falcons from Munster during the summer as a recognised half-back.

"Jeremy's a class player, he was outstanding," said Tait.

"I deliberately put him in the 'A' team at Northampton on the Monday night at full-back, to have a look at him and reports were that he was outstanding.

"There was no hesitation, he's a good player and he's going to be good for this club."

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