Falcons cruise into quarters
Newcastle confirmed their place in the quarter-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup with a 20-3 victory over Petrarca at Kingston Park.
Last Updated: 22/01/10 10:28pm
Newcastle confirmed their place in the quarter-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup with a 20-3 victory over Petrarca at Kingston Park.
The Falcons went into their final match in Pool 5 needing to beat the Italian minnows, who have picked up just a single point in their campaign, and the result was never in doubt.
A penalty try was awarded to the home side after 21 minutes following continuous pressure while Gcobani Bobo crossed in the final quarter to finish off Petrarca.
However, Newcastle continued to search for two more tries that would have given them a bonus point and thus a guaranteed home tie in the last eight, but they left frustrated.
Replacement prop Grant Shiel went close to scoring his first try for the club after an hour but lost possession over the try-line, summing up Newcastle's night.
The victory was required with Montauban just two points behind them before the game, and the French side recorded a 27-20 comeback victory over fellow Top 14 side Albi.
However, despite battling back from an early 17-3 deficit, Montauban failed to pick-up a four-try bonus despite scores from Jean Phillippe Viard, Adbellatif Boutaty and Felix Le Bourhis.
In Pool 2, Montpellier won 8-3 against Guinness Premiership side Worcester, who had all three back-row players sent to the sin-bin.
James Collins, Tom Wood and Matt Cox each received yellow cards but the Warriors held the lead at half-time courtesy of Matthew Jones' 11th-minute penalty.
But Marc Giraud crossed after the hour mark before Jaques Schutte confirmed the win with a late penalty to hand Worcester their third defeat of the campaign.
