The game certainly meant something to the Falcons, and particularly the forwards.
Treviso held out for eighteen minutes and even threatened to extend their aggregate lead, but with a better referee than has been seen for some time and some powerful driving play, the Falcons wore down their Italian visitors. Hugh Vyvyan led by example, on hand to score the first try and even Liam had his kicking boots on, he didn’t miss a conversion all afternoon.
With points on the board the entire Falcons team was noticeably lifted and Phil Godman got his first try when he was bounced over the Treviso line on the half-hour. Captain Hugh got his second score and the team’s third just before the break to put the sides level on aggregate. Liam’s third conversion from directly in front of goal put Newcastle in to the lead overall. The pain of the away leg had been eradicated in the space of the best forty minutes that the Falcons had put together all season.
It meant that progress in the competition would be down to whichever side could play the better second half. Although the conditions didn’t help the Italians it would be fairer to give credit to another super show from the Newcastle pack.
The two tries that they scored in the second period went to the unlikeliest of heroes, Ian Peel. They came in identical circumstances from excellent line out work. Two driving mauls were formed, both after Craig Hamilton had won line out possession jumping at number four. The scores emphasised the grip that the Falcons pack was exerting on their marginally bigger and certainly older opposition.
The work of the pack should not only be seen merely in terms of points scored, they tackled manfully throughout and drove forward continually to put Treviso on the back foot. It was almost as if they had tired of seeing the backs fail in recent games and were now going to sort things out for themselves.
Leading thirty five nil, there was still time for the customary period of Newcastle sleepiness and the Italian visitors took control of the last ten minutes. Substitute wing Gonzalo Canale collected Franco Smith’s kick over the Falcons defence for a consolation score but for Simon Mason it was a disappointing return to Kingston Park. He failed with the conversion as he had missed two earlier penalty attempts.
The forty three-thirty two aggregate victory means that the Falcons will face their old rivals Saracens in the last eight over two legs in January. The draw to determine who plays at home first will be made at noon on Tuesday in Pontypridd. When those games are played Newcastle should still have Epi Taione in their line up as after the game Rob Andrew denied whispers that the Tongan had been attracting the interest of.........Saracens.
Match Preview: Should We Forget Europe?
Away Leg Match Report: Torment in Treviso
Note from the Ed: Apologies to double try scorer Ian Peel - I wanted to use his photo for the report but we've not got one of him!
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