Newcastle 26-19 Harlequins: Andy Goode’ s 11-points off the bench hauls Falcons to precious home win - Ruck
Aviva Premiership

Newcastle 26-19 Harlequins: Andy Goode’ s 11-points off the bench hauls Falcons to precious home win

31 January 2016
Rugby Rucker
  • Newcastle overturns nine point deficit to deservedly edge to victory over Harlequins at Kingston Park
  • Scott Lawson’s try combined with five points from Craig Willis gave the Falcons a narrow 10-7 lead at the break 
  • Three Harlequins tries in eight minutes either side of half-time then put the visitors 19-10 up
  • But three Andy Goode penalties levelled it before Vickers’ last-gasp touchdown won it for the Falcons
Veteran fly-half Andy Goode’s 11 points combined with Rob Vickers last-gasp try saw Newcastle Falcons come from behind to overturn Harlequins at Kingston Park on Sunday.

The win, which lifts Dean Richard’s men off the bottom of the Aviva Premiership, looked a real possibility from the start as the hosts raced into a 10-0 lead thanks to Scott Lawson dotting down and Willis adding five points from the tee.

Quins’ though, on the brink of half-time got back into the match as Charlie Walker’s try, converted by Nick Evans, reduced the deficit to just three points.

Two tries in three second-half minutes via Dave Ward and a second for Walker second half minutes, with Evans adding one conversion then seemingly had the visitors on course for an away victory but with the clock winding down replacment Goode knocked over three penalties to drag the hosts level, 19-19.

Then, with just over two minutes to go, Vickers dragged himself to the line and following a trip to the TMO the try was awarded to the delight of the home fans.

Goode then converted to bring the curtain down on what was a vital win for the hosts as they continue to fight against relegation, 26-19.

MAN OF THE MATCH
Newcastle: Rob Vickers

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

Harlequins: 15 Ross Chisholm, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 George Lowe, 12 Harry Sloan, 11 Charlie Walker, 10 Nick Evans (c), 9 Tito Tebaldi, 1 Mark Lambert, 2 Rob Buchanan, 3 Will Collier, 4 James Horwill, 5 Charlie Matthews, 6 Luke Wallace, 7 Dave Ward, 8 Mat Luamanu.
Replacements: 16 Joe Gray, 17 Owen Evans, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 George Merrick, 20 James Chisholm, 21 Calum Waters, 22 Ben Botica, 23 Tim Swiel.