By Westand (27/04/03)
April 27 2003

Hoping to continue with their run of good form Falcons U21s entertained Wasps U21s on a warm but overcast afternoon at Kingston Park. A stiff breeze swirled around the stadium, looking at the touchline flags, the wind seemed to be blowing from different directions in different areas of the ground. Falcons kicked of the match and immediately the Wasps put a nervous looking Falcons under pressure. The Wasps' forwards appeared to be the stronger of the two packs and dominated the opening stages. With four minutes play Wasps had a score on the board, a converted try, Falcons 0 - Wasps 7. Closely followed by a penalty that Falcons conceded for panicking in defence. Falcons 0 - Wasps 10.

The errors from both sides led to Falcons sneaking the advantage and a well worked move saw a penalty slotted over by Godman and very soon after a try by (I think) Jason Smithson, the Falcons' Captain. Falcons 10 - Wasps 10.

Falcons moved up a gear after the confidence boosting try and scored another, and the conversion by Godman saw Falcons take the lead 17 points to 10. Falcons match video director thought Skids was our second try score, but your reporter could not tell from his vantage point.

Wasps still thought they should be leading this competition and duly scored another converted try after a period of sustained pressure on the Falcons line. Though Falcons were guilty of not handling the ball well and giving possession away to readily. Falcons 17, wasps 17. This was the score as both teams trooped of at Half time.

During the interval I noticed that if you cast your eyes in a north-easterly direction between the north and east stands you could see what looks like something out of star wars! The 'landmark' building on the new Newcastle Great Park. Soon to be occupied by The Sage Group I believe.

Almost from the start of the second half Falcons looked more determined, they started winning ball from Wasps.

Falcons, unable to make the most of advantage being played by the ref, won the resulting scrum and Ollie Phillips nipped over for a try. Godman misjudged the wind and pushed the conversion to the right of the posts. Falcons 22 - Wasps 17.

Falcons picked up more loose ball and utilised the backs. Ed Kalman received out on the wing and in acres of space, making loads of ground before being caught half way between Wasps 22 and the try line.

Wasps spent more time in defence until a ball picked up from the back of a scrum and a run down the tightside by Smithson give Falcons five more points. The conversion from an identical position to his previous attempt saw Godman miss by almost the same. Falcons 27 - Wasps 17.

Falcons were now prepared to pass the ball along the threequarters with more confidence. Wasps only briefly being released from there half of the field. On 31 minutes of play in the 2nd Half, a fine pick up from the breakdown saw a pass from Godman go quickly to Ollie Phillips who scampered around to place the try under the posts. Rupert Neville converted the points. Falcons 34 - Wasps 17.

A loose ball heading towards Falcons try line was totally miss kicked, as in, missed the ball completely, by a Wasps player. A squandered chance to claw back some points.

In the last five minutes of the match with the game won, Falcons defended half-heartedly and from a 22 metre penalty Wasps ran in a try.

Final score Falcons U21s 34 — Wasps U21s 22

From an uncomfortable beginning Falcons eventually ran out worthy winners. I overheard one of the Touch judges comment that it was "a good game in parts". I think he meant the parts where Falcons won the ball and sent the backs on free runs, from where we always looked like scoring.

My man of the Match goes to Ollie Phillips.

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