Falcons soar past Exiles

Gopperth: five penalties

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London Irish's Guinness Premiership charge was blown off course at the Madejski Stadium as they were beaten 15-11 by Newcastle.

Jimmy Gopperth booted the in-form Falcons to glory against a side who hadn't lost in league action since the opening day of the season.

Although they managed the only try through Chris Hala'ufia, the Exiles struggled badly for fluency in blustery conditions.

In the end they had to settle for a losing bonus point, as Newcastle secured a third straight league triumph and their first success over Irish in eight attempts.

Missed opportunities

The home side will look back on missed opportunities to put early points on the board - Ryan Lamb and Peter Hewat both falling short with long-range penalty attempts.

Gopperth was having no such problems, though, landing penalties in the 14th and 18th minute to put Newcastle 6-0 in front.

While the Falcons soared the Exiles struggled, their miserable start summed up when Lamb kicked the ball dead when going for the corner with a penalty.

A further three points from Gopperth's trusty right boot pushed the gap to 9-0 before Irish finally got on the scoreboard, Lamb landing a 40-metre penalty five minutes from the break.

However, a penalty given to the hosts was then rescinded in the Falcons' favour and Gopperth was on target again to make it 12-3.

After a dour opening 40 minutes the Exiles did liven up proceedings soon after the re-start with flanker Steffon Armitage going close.

Experienced campaigners

Full-back Jamie Lennard, a summer recruit from Doncaster, then knocked over a drop goal on 50 minutes before the introduction of two experienced campaigners helped lead to the game's one and only try.

Player/coach Mike Catt and much-travelled fly-half Chris Malone came off the bench and were immediately involved in the move that saw Hala'ufia score.

The Tongan number eight's effort left the score at 11-12 as Hewat inexplicably missed the conversion. However, perhaps pushed into life by conceding, Newcastle twice came close to crossing themselves.

Firstly some incisive running from Alex Tait was ruined by a failure to capitalise on a clear overlap from a ruck and then winger Charlie Amesbury was only denied by some desperate defending.

In the end, though, all they needed to seal victory was another Gopperth penalty, the New Zealander's fifth successful effort of the afternoon in the closing minutes sealing the Falcons a place in the top half of the table.