Falcons downed in Stoop sevens

After a promising group performance last week, Newcastle Falcons crashed out of the main competition finals and the plate at the first hurdles on Friday.

Short on experience with the loss of Lee Smith from the previous week and Scott Lawson’s late withdrawal, the Falcons were not disgraced in either defeat but were just beaten by better teams.

Under heavy rain at the Twickenham Stoop, the Falcons took to the field against Newport Gwent Dragons in the fourth quarter-final, hoping to secure a semi-final against hosts Harlequins. Tom Catterick broke from his own half and raced forward, passing to Tom Wilson on his shoulder for the latter to open the scoring after five minutes.

Brian Tuilagi was shown a yellow card for interference on the floor after the restart but on half-time the Falcons went further ahead through Ben Morris. Catterick again made a break and Chris Harris continued the move upfield. Harris was tackled in the 22 and the ball went loose, but Morris tapped over the line and got the touchdown. Again, the try went unconverted.

In the second period, Newport hit back with an early converted try, before Tuilagi’s pass to Catterick was intercepted and Angus O’Brien raced in for the Welshmen’s second score.

The Dragons held out for a 10-12 victory and the Falcons were left to plan for a plate semi-final against London Irish.

The rain was really lashing come 8.30pm, and it was a knock-on from Catterick that allowed Irish to break and Commonwealth Games star Will Harries fought off Harris for the opening try. Glen Young looked to have replied but the scoring pass from Catterick was correctly judged forwards.

The Falcons equalised when Catterick and Young broke from their own tryline and towards halfway. Young passed to James Christie who made it into the 22, Ollie Walker carried on the attack to draw defenders and finally gave the scoring pass to Dan Temm.

The game was locked at 5-5 in the dying seconds, and with Irish having an advantage just metres out, Sean Robinson rushed offside to confirm the penalty. Irish darted over for the winning try and took a 5-12 victory.

Irish went on to lose the plate final to Leicester, while in the main draw, Gloucester successfully defended the title they won last year with a 12-5 victory over surprise package Newport Gwent Dragons.