Newcastle 14-15 Worcester: Dean Ryan's Warriors hold on for crucial win against the Falcons - Ruck
Aviva Premiership

Newcastle 14-15 Worcester: Dean Ryan’s Warriors hold on for crucial win against the Falcons

4 March 2016
Rugby Rucker
  • Worcester edged to a narrow 15-14 win against the Newcastle Falcons on Friday evening
  • Andy Goode’s two early penalties gave the Falcons a six-point lead
  • Dewald Potgieter’s late first half try, converted by Tom Heathcote gave the visitors a 7-6 lead 
  • Bryce Heem’s second-half try secured the win for the Warriors
Worcester recorded their first away win in the top flight for nearly two years as they edged past the Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park on Friday evening.

Andy Goode kicked two penalties for Newcastle’s only points of the opening 40 as the hosts began the contest very much on top of things.

And after being behind for 39 minutes, Worcester managed to go into the half-time break narrowly in front with a late converted try from Dewald Potgieter.

Worcester scored another try in the second half courtesy of Kiwi wing Bryce Heem, with Tom Heathcote kicking a penalty.

A Rob Vickers try on his 200th appearance for the Tynesiders combined a third Goode penalty weren’t enough to seal the win for the Falcons but did ensure they got what could be a crucial losing bonus-point.

Newcastle: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Marcus Watson 10 Andy Goode, 9 Michael Young, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Nili Latu, 6 Will Welch (c), 5 Sean Robinson, 4 Mark Wilson, 3 Taione Vea, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Rob Vickers
Replacements: 16 George McGuigan, 17 Alex Rogers, 18 Kensuke Hatakeyama, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 Callum Chick, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Craig Willis, 23 Juan Pablo Socino.

Worcester: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Ryan Mills, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Tom Heathcote, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 GJ van Velze (c), 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Phil Dowson, 5 Darren Barry, 4 Donncha O’Callaghan, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Jaba Bregvadze,  1 Val Rapava Ruskin
Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Na’ama Leleimalefaga, 18 James Johnston, 19 Dan Sanderson, 20 Sam Betty, 21 Luke Baldwin, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Andy Symons

Date: Friday, March 4
Venue: Kingston Park
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant Referees: Ashley Rowden & Robin Goodliffe.
TMO: Sean Davey.