By Falcon1 (30/12/02)
December 30 2002

In what was an uninspiring game to watch, London Irish recorded their third victory in a row over the Newcastle Falcons, by a margin of 20-0, leaving the Exiles with an escape route from relegation and the Falcons with a bleak prospect as they enter the New Year. As so often happens in bottom of the table clashes, neither side was capable of producing the ingredients of exciting, attractive rugby. Unfortunately for Newcastle Falcons the gaze of Lady Luck was focused on the Exiles.

As Connor O'Shea, London Irish's Director of Rugby (and Managing Director), commented after the match, "The result was more important than the performance." That result leaves the Falcons firmly entrenched at the foot of the Premiership, six points adrift of Bath and London Irish.

Prior to the game there was much speculation as to whether Jonny Wilkinson would return. The match programme was of little help, listing under the heading Newcastle Falcons a side that bore a remarkable resemblance to Newport.

In the end a Wilkinson did play, but it was Mark, not Jonny Wilkinson. What caused the intake of breath amongst the small band of Falcons supporters amongst the record crowd 10,877 was not Mark’s presence in a side that is bereft of players due to injuries but the fact that he had been picked to wear the No. 10 shirt. It was a gamble by Rob Andrew to play Wilkinson for the first time in this position in such a crucial game for both sides.

The Falcons game plan seemed to be to kick deep into London Irish territory and then rely on the newly found forward strength to drive toward the try line and secure tries either from a pack boasting two of the recent signings, Newby, and Christian. However, although the Falcons had plenty of first half possession and territory, errors in attack led to the ball being turned over all too frequently.

As in previous weeks, the benefits of Blades' coaching of the forwards was clear to see. They mauled and drove with passion and control. Unfortunately the backs still appear to be playing as individuals, not a unit, and their moves are slow, contrived and unplanned. The insertion of Wilkinson into the back-line did not help. Whilst the Falcons made their way frequently to the opposing 22, they invariably knocked on once the ball was released to the backs and gave the Irish scrum the chance to recover the ball and clear any danger.

For much of the first half, there was every prospect that this would be a low-scoring, or even a score-less, fixture. Barry Everitt was wide with two penalty attempts. Despite his performance in previous weeks, Liam Botham, was not called upon to try his luck at the three penalties awarded to Newcastle in the opposition half. Instead the Falcons opted for the close-range lineout, the catch and drive but could not develop the momentum to cross the line. The failure to put points on the board was to be punished, with two incidents either side of half-time.

Two minutes before the interval Everitt scored the Exiles first try.

The Falcons' hooker James Christian over threw at a line-out 20 metres out from the Falcons line. In their anxiety to recover the ball the Falcons knocked on, and the Exiles had a scrum ten metres out from the Falcons' line. From the scrum, Everitt made a diagonal run, grub-kicked through the defenders, collected the ball and slid over under the posts, duly converting his third Premiership try of the season to give the Exiles a 7-0 lead at half-time, against the run of possession and territory.

Four minutes after the interval, the gloom for the Falcons deepened.

An attempted grubber kick by Tom May ricocheted off the legs of Nick Burrows. The London Irish centre won the race to recover the ball and scored a second try for the Exiles. Although Everitt failed with a straightforward conversion, the score now stood at 13-0 to the home team.

The Falcons persisted with their game plan and the forwards, especially Vyvyan, Grimes and Mower, must take credit for their effort and commitment. They seemed to have got some reward for this effort after 57 minutes when a forward drive crossed the Irish line. Referee Spreadbury clearly indicated that the try had been given, but then changed his mind after consulting the touch judge and indicated that James Christian had been held up. There was no dispute with this decision from the Falcons after the game.

On 70 minutes a penalty from Everitt, following the sin-binning of Christian for pulling down a maul, took the score to 15-0.

The pattern of the afternoon was confirmed when late in injury-time, the ball went down on the Newcastle left and Paul Sackey toed it over the line for the third try of the afternoon. Everitt failed with the conversion attempt, but it left the final score at 20-0 to the home side.

The only downside for home side was an injury to captain Ryan Strudwick, who limped off the field with a suspected broken tibia or fibula in his leg.

The Falcons' Director of Rugby remains upbeat. Speaking after the game Rob Andrew admitted that he was looking forward to end of 2002, but remained confident about the future:"I think the passing of 2002 on Tuesday night will be no bad thing", he said, before adding "I do believe we are capable of turning it around and winning games".

After losing their last six matches in the Premiership - their worst ever run in the top flight– and having suffered defeats ten times in twelve matches this campaign, the turn around in Newcastle’s fortunes cannot come soon enough.

---

Powergen Cup Match Report

---