May inspires Falcons win

Tom May scored 19 points and denied Harlequins a bonus point in the final minute as the Falcons won 24-16 at Kingston Park.

The centre, playing at fly-half in the continued absence of Jonny Wilkinson, showed good composure with the boot and popped up for an interception try as Newcastle continued their Guinness Prfemiership revival.

Quins were without England players Ugo Monye and Danny Care but shook off their absence with a dominant opening period, Nick Evans giving them a 6-0 lead inside 12 minutes.

But the visitors fumbled the re-start and May was able to narrow the deficit immediately, and as time wore on the Falcons began to get on top.

Scrum-half Micky Young made good ground despite a wall of bodies in front of him and in the next phase Tim Visser crossed for the score, which went unconverted.

Handling errors turned the game into a messy affair but Quins edged ahead via a third Evans penalty five minutes before the break.

Heavy pressure

But Falcons had the last word as Tane Tu'ipulotu got the Quins defence back-pedaling, and under heavy pressure they collapsed the scrum on the stroke of half-time, allowing May to give the hosts an 11-9 lead at the turnaround.

Visser ghosted through the defence again just after interval before finally being brought to ground, but with advantage being played May's boot gave Falcons a five-point cushion.

By this time the visitors were being stretched at the back and Newcastle ought to have scored when Tu'ipulotu should have sent Andrew Fenby over after 51 minutes instead of trying to go it alone.

Quins made several personnel changes and they won a five metre scrum, but their impatience meant Newcastle were given a penalty and the pressure was released.

Once again, the forwards were penalised for an indiscretion in the ruck and May slotted a 75th minute penalty, but the visitors hit back dramatically in the final minute when full-back Mike Brown touched down and Chris Malone converted.

But they were still behind and out of time with no option but to run the ball, and May promptly intercepted and raced over to confirm Newcastle's sixth successive win before kicking the two points that meant Quins left with nothing.