Newcastle reward fans with victory over Northampton
Second-half tries from Adam Radwan and Chidera Obonna earned Newcastle an 18-10 win over Northampton as fans were allowed into Kingston Park for the first time since March 2020.
The Falcons showed their attacking intent from the outset as they kicked for the corner from three penalties well within kicking range but were unable to take advantage with the Saints defence doing well to hold the ball up.
Tom James was sin-binned after 15 minutes for a deliberate knock-on and Newcastle looked to continue to pin Northampton back in their own 22. The pressure was relieved with Callum Chick also being found guilty of a deliberate knock-on and being sent to the bin.
Northampton finally made it into the Newcastle 22 but their chances of going ahead were ended with a monster tackle from Matias Orlando on David Ribbans, dislodging the ball and forcing the knock-on.
Tommy Freeman put the Saints under all sorts of pressure when his pass landed at the ankles of George Furbank who could not gather cleanly, but Newcastle were unable to capitalise from the resulting scrum.
Northampton edged ahead on 37 minutes as James Grayson slotted a penalty from seven metres into the Newcastle half after Luther Burrell was penalised for obstruction.
Brett Connon kicked a penalty from eight metres to level things up with the clock in the red after Saints were penalised again.
The Saints started the second half strongly and grabbed the game’s opening try with Paul Hill latching onto Grayson’s offload and finishing under the sticks. Grayson kicked the simple conversion.
The Falcons grabbed their first try of the game on 56 minutes with Radwan going over in the corner after a five-metre scrum. Chick was stopped close to the line and the ball was recycled for Radwan to claim his fourth of the season. Connon kicked the conversion from tight to the touch line.
A game that was riddled with errors saw Grayson miss his kick to the corner after turning down a shot at the sticks which would have given the visitors the lead.
Newcastle took the lead with 62 minutes on the clock. The Falcons turned the ball over from a Northampton scrum and, with the ball flung wide, it was replacement Obonna who raced in from 20 metres. Connon pushed the conversion across the face of the posts.
Grayson had the chance to reduce the deficit on 70 minutes but his penalty for offside sailed wide of the posts from 35 metres.
Connon had the opportunity to make it a two-score game with a penalty in the final five minutes but his effort fell just short of the posts.
However, moments later he was able to add three points after Saints held on 10 metres out in front of the posts, sealing a second successive win for the Falcons.
Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments