Honours even at Kingston Park

Michael Mayhew: Crucial late try

Newcastle and Worcester shared the spoils at Kingston Park on Friday night as New Zealander Michael Mayhew went over for a crucial late try for the Falcons.

The replacement hooker touched down just three minutes from the end to ensure the game finished 16-16 with the bottom two both deservedly taking something from an entertaining contest.

Shaun Perry's first-half try looked like it would be the difference up until that point with both sides also kicking three penalties each.

It was Worcester who edged ahead early on as Joe Carlisle slotted a three-pointer, but Newcastle produced a spirited response.

Having secured a turnover after grounding Carlisle, they came within a couple of metres of breaching the Worcester line, but eventually settled for a penalty after the visitors were caught offside, Jimmy Gopperth obliging from the 22-metre line.

Carlisle edged Worcester back in front on 19 minutes with his second penalty, but Gopperth responded in kind just three minutes later to level the scores again.

The Warriors' try arrived shortly before the half-hour mark following a scrum inside the Newcastle 22.

After flicking a quick pass to Carlisle from the base of it, Perry was on hand to collect the fly-half's fine offload from the floor and scooted over unchallenged in the corner. Carlisle added a fine conversion to stretch the lead to 13-6.

Following an extended period of possession, Rikki Sheriffe came close to going over after a sharp Newcastle break down the blindside, but Worcester got across to cover well with Dale Rasmussen putting his body on the line and Perry producing an excellent turnover which enabled the visitors to clear the danger.

Unlucky bounce

Just a couple of minutes before the break Errie Claasens, who had beaten the covering Gopperth for pace, was denied a try after Carlisle's long kick down field agonisingly bobbled into touch.

Newcastle started the second half on the front foot and they eventually won a penalty right in front of the Worcester posts after Warriors prop Tevita Taumoepeau was penalised for not rolling away. Gopperth made light work of the kick to bring his side to within four.

The hosts should have hit the front on 52 minutes when a superb, darting break from Alex Tait carved open the Worcester defence, but his offload was somehow spilled by Corne Uys with a clear run to the try-line gaping ahead of the South African centre.

As persistent rain fell, running rugby became increasingly difficult in the closing stages and both sides looked to kick themselves into position with Worcester coach Richard Hill opting to bring the experienced hand of Andy Goode off the bench.

The veteran fly-half soon demonstrated his worth by squeezing over a long-range penalty to make the score 16-9 with 11 minutes to go after Luke Eves had been penalised for a dangerous tip tackle on Miles Benjamin.

As time ticked away, Newcastle repeatedly showed a lack of precision in the Worcester 22 as they attempted to salvage something from the game.

But their efforts were finally rewarded three minutes from time when Mayhew burrowed over from close range, the New Zealander's try eventually being awarded by the video referee. Mayhew's fellow Kiwi Gopperth landed the conversion to bring the scores level for the final time.

The result still leaves Newcastle five points adrift of their opponents at the bottom of the table.