Second try
Second team rout Rotherham reserves
Second try
By Leipziger
August 22 2010
The Falcons' reserves overcame their Rotherham peers in an initially competitive match at Cochrane Park yesterday. Rotherham's forwards dominated the first half and the Yorkshiremen led at half-time, but the youthful Falcons ran away with the game after the break.
Second try
August 22 2010
The Falcons' reserves overcame their Rotherham peers in an initially competitive match at Cochrane Park yesterday. Rotherham's forwards dominated the first half and the Yorkshiremen led at half-time, but the youthful Falcons ran away with the game after the break.
Boasting the considerable experience of Filipo Levi, Micky Ward and Matt Thompson, Newcastle dominated the early stages and after just four minutes Harry Peck beat the away defence in the left corner, and Joel Hodgson converted the try.
Rotherham came back and big lock Louis McGowan was driven over to get his side on the scoresheet, before last man Michael Tait scored in the far right corner.
The Falcons were 12-5 up but the visitors then took control, their forwards keeping possession in the home 22, and Matt Thompson was forced to make a try-saving tackle under the posts. Finally after an intense spell of pressure Colin Quigley scored.
Just before half-time, with Rotherham still in the ascendency, Neil Spence scored and Henry Paul converted to put the away side ahead after the first 40.
In the second half, the Falcons' superior fitness and quality told. Luke Fielden and Tait combined to create a chance in the corner but the manager's son was put into touch. The try wasn't long in coming though, after 47 minutes Fitzpatrick cut through the away defence to score and Hodgson's conversion gave the Falcons the lead.
The centre almost immediately broke from his own half to score under the posts, and the conversion put our team 26-17 ahead.
Rotherham remained competitive for a while but before the hour Fielden took a high ball and countered. After he offloaded to Peck, the ball came right to Thompson who was able to fight over the line, Hodgson hitting the conversion.
Filipo Levi set up Ben Frankland on the right for the sixth try with ten minutes to go, and replacement Grant Connon then scored as the ball came to him on the right and Rotherham's defence had no cover. Mike Ward converted.
Fred Burdon had a chance to bring up the 50 just a few minutes before the end but was tackled at on the 22, however the Falcons weren't to be denied as Levi forced his way over the line right on full-time, Ward's conversion making the final score 52-17.
This was an entertaining game, more competitive than I had expected although the Falcons were always going to win really, especially once Rotherham took off their strong, experienced (they looked experienced anyway) first half props. Joel Hodgson looks very talented, but certainly needs a bit more weight, while Fielden and Fitzpatrick were lively. Matt Thompson played well for a guy about to have an operation, and Jamie Hall looks to be a good signing too so far.
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Second team rout Rotherham reserves
Posted by: FalconsRugby.org.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 22/08/2010 06:54
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