Falcons humble Champions
By Leipziger November 19 2006
The Falcons put in a Herculean defensive effort in the second half to edge a first-ever victory at Edgeley Park on Friday, avenging a Cup defeat in Stockport in September.
The Falcons put in a Herculean defensive effort in the second half to edge a first-ever victory at Edgeley Park on Friday, avenging a Cup defeat in Stockport in September.
It was a night for unlikely heroes, as Mike McCarthy and James Hoyle, both playing out of position, scored the tries to give their side a superb 18-26 victory against Premiership champions Sale and move up to the heady heights of 8th in the table.
Hoyle and McCarthy came into the Newcastle side alongside first-time starters Joe McDonnell and Loki Crichton, who looked to improve the team which had lost to Harlequins a week earlier, with both sides missing several internationals engaged in yesterday’s England win at Twickenham. Away captain Matthew Burke opened the scoring with a penalty, but this was quickly equalized by Daniel Larrachea, as both teams attacked in the opening stages. Burke missed his second attempt at goal, and Larrachea inched the Sharks ahead with a penalty in front of goal after a good attack across the ¾ line.
Further penalties were exchanged, but the Falcons were the first to score a try when a long kick was pumped forward and after some good carries and an ignored overlap, McCarthy was put through on the left, with Burke converting. The full-back then increased the lead with a penalty amid loud noise on the half hour.
The Falcon forwards were taking the game to sale around this period, and looked to score from a penalty lineout but Sale retrieved the ball, before the impressive Andy Perry was sin-binned at a ruck and, just before half time Larrachea reduced the deficit to 12-16 at the break.
Sale’s fifth penalty came soon after the restart, before the Falcons began a fluent attack on 53 minutes, and after missing three overlaps, Loki Crichton chipped over the defence. Sale wing Oriol Ripol spilled the ball, and James Hoyle was on hand to go over for a vital try for the Falcons, who went 15-23 ahead with the conversion.
The hosts however then began to dominate play, although Crichton’s boot was alleviating pressure when possible. Sale replacement Lee Thomas took them within a try of our score as Ben Woods was sin-binned, and the Falcons were forced back to the wall to defend against some fast Sale attacking.
The win was all but secured with ten minutes to go when Burke kicked his fourth penalty of the night, and the captain and the rest of his team tackled their hearts out trying to hang onto the advantage. With seconds to go, Sale’s replacement prop Stuart Turner was shown a red card for violent play to end any Albanian hopes of a bonus point, and the Falcons won the match 18-26, our first win in Stockport and also the first time our boys have won away to reigning league champions!!
Well done lads!
Hoyle and McCarthy came into the Newcastle side alongside first-time starters Joe McDonnell and Loki Crichton, who looked to improve the team which had lost to Harlequins a week earlier, with both sides missing several internationals engaged in yesterday’s England win at Twickenham. Away captain Matthew Burke opened the scoring with a penalty, but this was quickly equalized by Daniel Larrachea, as both teams attacked in the opening stages. Burke missed his second attempt at goal, and Larrachea inched the Sharks ahead with a penalty in front of goal after a good attack across the ¾ line.
Further penalties were exchanged, but the Falcons were the first to score a try when a long kick was pumped forward and after some good carries and an ignored overlap, McCarthy was put through on the left, with Burke converting. The full-back then increased the lead with a penalty amid loud noise on the half hour.
The Falcon forwards were taking the game to sale around this period, and looked to score from a penalty lineout but Sale retrieved the ball, before the impressive Andy Perry was sin-binned at a ruck and, just before half time Larrachea reduced the deficit to 12-16 at the break.
Sale’s fifth penalty came soon after the restart, before the Falcons began a fluent attack on 53 minutes, and after missing three overlaps, Loki Crichton chipped over the defence. Sale wing Oriol Ripol spilled the ball, and James Hoyle was on hand to go over for a vital try for the Falcons, who went 15-23 ahead with the conversion.
The hosts however then began to dominate play, although Crichton’s boot was alleviating pressure when possible. Sale replacement Lee Thomas took them within a try of our score as Ben Woods was sin-binned, and the Falcons were forced back to the wall to defend against some fast Sale attacking.
The win was all but secured with ten minutes to go when Burke kicked his fourth penalty of the night, and the captain and the rest of his team tackled their hearts out trying to hang onto the advantage. With seconds to go, Sale’s replacement prop Stuart Turner was shown a red card for violent play to end any Albanian hopes of a bonus point, and the Falcons won the match 18-26, our first win in Stockport and also the first time our boys have won away to reigning league champions!!
Well done lads!
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