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Falcons back in trouble

3rd try
By Leipziger March 17 2007
The Falcons were dragged back into the Premiership relegation battle last night after missing out on a huge opportunity to beat Worcester at Sixways after three first half tries looked to have given us the win.
Ben Woods stormed in two early scores before Matt Thompson crossed to give the away side a commanding lead, however a completely different second half performance from Worcester saw replacement Gavin Quinnell steal a late lead, before Loki Crichton missed a last-kick penalty in a 23-21 defeat.

The Warriors, bottom of the table and needing the points vitally in their penultimate home match of the season, took an early lead through a Shane Drahm penalty. However direct from the restart flanker Woods, a star performer on the night, took a bounce and then held off the home defence to score from the 22, with Crichton converting. The Falcons were rocked when James Hoyle, back in the side after a long absence, was forced off and replaced with Joe Shaw, but it didn't show as a Woods scored a similar try again on the quarter hour.

As the Falcons defended well against the Worcester backs, the main danger looked to be coming from the dominant Craig Gillies in the lineout and maul although again we were managing to repel their forwards as Drahm was forced to settle for another penalty. That was answered though with a fluent passing move which ended in Thompson scoring on the left, and Loki's conversion gave the Falcons a 6-21 lead at the break, our boys seemingly coasting but not having been able to get the precious fourth score.

With Jon Golding on for Micky Ward at half time, despite Joe McDonnell taking a knock to the neck late in the first period, the Falcons were put under the cosh in the second period and Aleki Lutui scored to keep his side in the hunt, Drahm converting. With the Falcons now struggling in defence against the blue and yellow tide, and the home lineout still a danger Lutui crossed again with 13 minutes to go and although the conversion missed, the hosts were now smelling blood and the crowd came alive.

It looked like we might hold on until Worcester were given repeated penalties in the right corner, and from a throw about as straight as Graham Norton at Elton John's birthday party, the maul was driven over and replacement Gavin Quinnell scored to give his side a relegation lifeline. But that wasn't the end. On the 22, referee Martin Fox gave the Falcons what looked like a simple penalty with the clock down to zero. The inevitable "Do we have time for a lineout?" quips went round, but fortunately Matthew Burke chose to let Loki kick for the win. It looked good, Mrs RnR swore it was over, and I thought the flags went up! But it was the home fans who were celebrating the final whistle, with the tight 23-21 win taking them off the bottom three points clear of Northampton.

We ourselves are now back into the battle, six points ahead of Worcester with a game in hand but Northampton have a game in hand on us, v Sale at home, and are nine behind. With our extra match a trip to Kingsholm, Easter Sunday is looking to be a very big day. Get yourselves there and support your team!

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