-
Newcastle stroll to comprehensive 55-7 bonus-point victory against Russian side Enisei-STM, scoring nine tries in their first home game of the 2015/16 Challenge Cup
-
The Falcons led 29-7 at the break with Mark Wilson scoring a hat-trick in the opening half an hour while Marcus Wilson and Zachary Kibirige also contributed with five-pointers
-
Denis Simplikevich crossed the whitewash for the Siberian side during the opening 40 for a consolation score
-
Wide man Watson scored a second-half hat-trick to take his total to four tries while wing partner Kibirige completed his brace
Marcus Watson scored four tries and Mark Wilson three as Newcastle Falcons recorded their first win of the 2015/16 season by thrashing Enisei-STM 55-7 in the Challenge Cup at Kingston Park on Sunday.
The Falcons, who had lost five successive games in all competitions prior to today, may have been facing limited opposition, but the boost in confidence could be invaluable to the North East-based club kick-starting their season.
Newcastle led comfortably 29-7 at the break with Wilson crossing for three scores in the opening half an hour while young wingers Zachary Kibirige and Watson also contributed with five pointers. Tom Catterick added two of the five conversions in blustery conditions to complete the hosts opening 40 total.
In the middle of the Falcons free-scoring, the Siberian visitors did get on the scoreboard with an excellent try from the restart as pacy winger Denis Simplikevich got in to touch down before Yury Kushnarev added the extras.
Newcastle though continued to build upon their comfortable advantage in the second half with wide man Watson crossing for a second-half treble to take his total for the day to four while his wing partner Kibirige completed his brace. Catterick converted three of the four second-half scores to finish off the Falcons’ comprehensive win, 55-7.
The Premiership side go second in pool one, three points behind Irish province Connacht.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Newcastle Falcons: Marcus Watson
The Newcastle winger was outstanding from start to finish, using his dazzling footwork to, at times, make the Russian visitors defence look foolish. Since joining from England Sevens in the summer, it has taken time for Watson to settle in but the Falcons faithful will be hopeful, after his four tries today, that they have a star on their hands.
Newcastle: Tait; Kibirige, Penny, Harris, Watson; Catterick, Young; Vickers, McGuigan, Welsh, Green, Robinson, Welch, Temm, Wilson
Replacements: Lawson, Rogers, Vea, Witty, Mayhew, Tipuna, Willis, Powell
Enisei-STM: Kushnarev; Malnik, Kacharava, Gerasimov, Simplikevich; Gaisin, Baranovs; Bezverkhov, Selskii, Zykov, Saulite, Krasylnyk, Orlov, Temnov, Krotov.
Replacements: Hasanov, Cleminson, Pronenko, Butenko, Babaev, Shcherban, Kurashov, Krotov.