Falcons 24 Wasps 17
By Ridley
November 22 2005
Our season of consolidation has got off to the best possible start. Our embryonic team beat the seasoned all stars of Wasps through hard work and the exceptional talent of Jonny Wilkinson. His eight penalties beat their two tries. Not quite the exotic rugby we're being promised but its early days.
| Wasps started stronger and should have scored when Josh Lewsey had the chance to send Shane Roiser away but the winger was too eager and got in front of the ball.
They did go ahead in the 20th minute when Rob Howley broke from the back of a scrum and set up Lewsey. Alex King added the conversion. But Falcons came back and Wilko put us in front with three very quick penalties. Wasps couldn't complain ... if they can't take the pressure Jonny will score them. The visitors should have regain the lead close to half time when Dallagio tried to be the hero but was hauled down. If he'd passed to Lewsey we would have gone in at half time behind. Sadly Josh suffered what looked a nasty leg injury and was taken off to hospital at half time with a suspected broken leg. We did go behind after the interval when Denney was fed by Howley and he nipped away to score under the posts for a try which was converted by King. But would you belive it? Falcons beavered away and forcedanother three quick mistakes from Wasps and Jonny slotted them all! It may not have been pretty Falcons rugby up this point but after all we are consolidating and then Dallaglio delighted us by being sin-binned for a professional foul. We pressed again and forced couple of penalties which JW stroked over. We were comfortable but Wasps deserved their bonus point when King kicked three points with the last effort of the game. We won and disn't score any tries. Wasps scored two tries and lost. I, for one, was happy to settle for that. |