Robinson's boot downs Falcons

Gloucester fly-half Nicky Robinson kicked 20 points as the Cherry and Whites recorded only their fourth Guinness Premiership win of the campaign with a 25-13 triumph over Newcastle.

Wales international Robinson landed five penalties, a drop-goal and also converted Charlie Sharples' early try.

Newcastle could only respond with a couple of penalties from Jimmy Gopperth before adding an injury-time try from substitute Alex Tait.

But it proved nothing more than a consolation as Gloucester chalked up an important home victory, their second on the trot at Kingsholm following last month's success over Leicester.

The hosts were quicker in thought and deed around the forward fringes, forcing a succession of penalties that enabled them to stay on the front foot.

Having made a bright start they edged ahead following some sustained early pressure, some aggressive work from their pack set the platform allowing Robinson to spin the ball wide with Sharples touching down on an overlap.

Robinson slotted the touchline conversion, but Newcastle responded with Gopperth leading the way by kicking a quick-fire penalty double.

Robinson answered in kind with his first of the afternoon to edge Gloucester 10-6 ahead, but he missed another chance just before the break and was nearly made to pay as Newcastle blew a glorious scoring chance by knocking on when they had players unmarked right and left of a ruck five metres from the home line.

Took advantage

The home side took advantage of that let-off when Robinson kicked two penalties in three minutes midway through the third quarter.

The Falcons were guilty of some poor technical discipline, and the Gloucester pack did not require a second invitation to start asserting dominance.

Another successful Robinson penalty - his fourth - came when the Newcastle forwards were penalised for a blatant infringement.

But some of the shine was taken off Gloucester's win as then suffered an injury blow when flanker Akapusi Qera left the pitch on a stretcher with his neck in a brace after a collision with Newcastle number eight Filipo Levi.

A lengthy delay ensued while the prone 25-year-old received medical attention, but it was Gloucester who regrouped quickest after the stoppage.

Luke Narraway replaced Qera, and Gloucester continued to dominate the territorial battle, pinning Newcastle back as conditions deteriorated, content to preserve a commanding 13-point advantage.

A short-range Robinson drop-goal and penalty confirmed Newcastle's demise, giving him 20 points and leaving the Falcons to reflect on a dismal afternoon when little went right for them.

They went in search of a consolation try as the clock ticked down, and Tait provided it with his fellow replacement Rob Miller adding the conversion.