Falcons finally get a win

Gopperth: perfect kicking display

Newcastle ended a run of 11 consecutive Aviva Premiership defeats with a 15-10 triumph over Wasps at Kingston Park.

Fly-half Jimmy Gopperth was successful with all five of his penalty attempts to boot the Falcons to victory, though they still sit bottom of the table.

Wasps managed the only try of the contest through Christian Wade but it wasn't enough to prevent them being beaten on their travels.

The Londoners have now lost three in a row and become the first team to be beaten in league action by Newcastle since Harlequins were toppled in the north east back on March 4.

Cracking start

Newcastle got off to a cracking start as Gopperth kicked them ahead after just two minutes, the No.10 punishing Wasps for infringing after his chip into the 22 had caught the visitors short of defensive numbers.

However Wasps responded in impressive fashion to falling behind, winger Wade somehow breaking free in broken play before galloping down the touchline in the sixth minute to cross for a fine solo effort.

Fly-half Ryan Davis put over the simple conversion but was off target with a long-distance penalty attempt shortly afterwards.

Gopperth pulled the Falcons within one point with a penalty from wide out and after a second Davis kick attempt fell short, the Kiwi landed another three-pointer just before the break to give Newcastle the lead.

Skipper James Hudson gathered in at a line-out and a driving maul was on its way into the 22 when Wasps pulled it down, allowing Gopperth to make it 9-7.

Bright

Newcastle made a brighter start to the second period and increased their lead six minutes after the re-start.

A hasty clearance by Wasps gave the Falcons a line-out opportunity and when Wasps strayed offside, Gopperth maintained his 100% kicking record.

Davis did pull three back for the capital club - only for Newcastle to respond with a fifth Gopperth penalty that restored their five-point advantage.

The hosts closed out the game impressively to finally get back to winning ways, and even when the visitors did break out in an extended final play Chris Bell was comprehensively bundled into touch to resounding applause.