Newcastle beat pool leaders Connacht 29-5 in the Challenge Cup
Monday 21 December 2015 09:46, UK
Newcastle closed the gap on Connacht to two points at the top of pool one of the Challenge Cup as they won 29-5 at Kingston Park.
The two sides were locked at 5-5 at half-time but Newcastle upped the ante in the second half to score four tries and claim a crucial bonus point.
The win sees the Falcons move two points behind Connacht who still top the pool despite the loss at Kingston Park.
England Sevens flyer Marcus Watson had scored first for the home side after a lifeless opening quarter but Connacht pounced on a loose ball after 33 minutes to send Danie Poolman over to level the scores.
A penalty try and a yellow card for Connacht's Eoghan Masterson one minute into the second half swung all the momentum Newcastle's way and they piled on the pressure. Centre Belisario Agulla went over for Newcastle's third try and they were rewarded a second penalty try after putting Connacht's scrum through the wringer close to the try line.
As the conditions deteriorated Watson went over for his second try after full-back Simon Hammersley made a telling break as the Falcons rounded-off a promising second-half display that will give them confidence ahead of their Boxing day clash with Leicester in the Premiership.
