AFTER a season of imbalance the Newcastle Falcons team will be freshening-up in the coming months, as new exciting imports eye up their fortunes here in the North-East, while others venture away in search of new challenges elsewhere.
The biggest of all speculation however has to be the whereabouts of Jonny Wilkinson next season, with a move to French side Toulon well and truly on the cards.
Tom May is one definitely making the trip across the channel, ending his tenure with the club in the position injury struck Wilko used to entertain the Geordie faithful.
Captain Dowson signs the deal that sees him become a Northampton Saint next season. Andy Buist will be at London Irish while Geoff Parling becomes a Tiger, and Russell Winter calls it a day announcing his retirement to a proud career which saw the former South African A captain join the Falcons back in 2006.
Amid the departures of those named and the possibility of a few others to follow, Steve Bates hasn’t resigned to leaving the side short in numbers next term.
Samoan captain Fellipo Levi joins Tongan flanker Josh Afu at the Falcons for the next two years, strengthening the back-row with an abundance of experience and a massive physical presence.
“I’ve always admired the Premiership,” Levi said. “My eyes have been opened to European rugby with my time at the Ospreys, a level I believe the Newcastle Falcons can achieve hopefully in the next year or two.”
James Hudson reciprocates the move of Buist, joining the Falcons from London Irish as Steve Bates seeks to build power up front as well as strength in depth ahead of next season.
“We believe the players we have signed have a big future at the club,” Falcons’ Rugby Director announced. “We’ve lost a great servant in Phil Dowson but at the same time have acquired an international captain with great experience.
“However, we’re not changing the team wholesale. We’ve had a good season just gone, especially in the games away to Wasps and here to Bath. These games stand out I feel since our performances prove we are capable in competing with teams at that level.”
After the indecent start to the season, the Falcons came into the new year with an improved confidence, winning seven out of their last eleven, which include victories over the league’s top two finishers Leicester and Harlequins, and a win at Franklin’s Gardens to end Northampton’s two-year unbeaten streak at home.
The returning Carl Hayman was inspirational too, finding some of the form he played with as an All Black. But the biggest story would definitely have to be of make-shift fly-half Tom May, proving he has the composure of boot as well as the sleight of hand in the season’s final months.
After admitting to a few tears before his last outing at Kingston Park, May wishes the team all the best and expresses his desire to possibly play again for the club sometime in his rugby future.
“Newcastle has been a fantastic club to me and I’ve had an unforgettable experience growing up with the guys here.
“Hopefully the wife and I can make the most of a few years abroad and maybe make a return one day. I’ve been married into the Geordie race so I would love to come back.”
Another season has come and gone and players’ futures are again in the balance.
But with fresh-blood in the Kingston Park side, a revolutionised Falcons team can breathe renewed success come September; in a new Guinness Premiership season that is never far away.
Wednesday 29 April 2009
Saturday 25 April 2009
Captain Carling's rugby ramble
FOR those who can, set your minds back to a different time in international rugby.
A time before the professional player, before salary caps, the Millennium Stadium, and of course Jonny.
The astute voice of Bill McLaren was in full swing, six nations were in fact five, and a certain Will Carling would lead his England side to their first back to back Grand Slams for sixty-seven years.
Separated by a world cup final appearance at Twickenham in ‘91, and followed by yet another Slam and another world cup run in ‘95, the success of England under Carling’s reign can only be topped in modern times by the exceptional achievements in 2003.
The man with the top job then was Martin Johnson, a captain of different circumstance to Carling, but a talisman of similar acclaim.
Courier Sport had the pleasure in speaking exclusively with the outspoken William Carling – OBE before I forget – discussing his romance with English Rugby, the time he became a Lion, and spending his post-match retirement living in a virtual clubhouse.
“My ambition was never to captain England” Carling said.
“I just wanted to play for my country, so when manager at the time Geoff Cooke rang to ask if I wanted the job, my first assumptions were that he must be joking. “No, really Will” was his response, which I found very bizarre since I was only 22 with little experience of playing for England.
“I played in a good England team, that’s why it was so successful. I would probably say, out of the three, my favourite Grand Slam would have to be the first one in ’91. The others were good, but at the time the relief just to beat the French and to play well without any issues, that’s what made it so special.
“As a captain in those days I had a lot more input in selection and team building compared to the likes of Johnson and others more recently.
"In today’s game more back-room staff are hired for precisely those jobs, leaving the captain to play rugby. In that sense I feel I had to be a more vocal captain than those after me. That there is a big difference between the amateur and professional eras for sure.”
Deliberation over the manner in which England took to the Twickenham field in the 1991 World Cup final does conjure up questions of the team’s leadership.
Losing to Australia at the final hurdle after a change in game plan that saw England turn to a more expansive tactic, you would have thought those involved may regret looking back on the day, especially the captain.
This is not the case however as Carling goes on to explain what happened 18 years ago as purely a question of hind-sight.
“People forget that we toured Australia that summer and got whacked 40 points to 15.
"When it came to the final we all decided to sit down for a bit and come up with a different way of playing them (away from the usual English forwards method). If we had taken our chances on the day we would have won. There are definitely no regrets, we just didn’t take our chances.
“The quarter-final win over Australia in ’95 was one hell of a game. It was nice to avenge them after that final, but then again you could say to what end if we were going on to lose to New Zealand in the semi anyway.
“New Zealand had a very good side,” Carling continued. “Jonah Lomu was a great player. In ’99 he was good, but nowhere near the player he was in 1995. If you put two or three on him to slow him down, you’d just end up leaving holes everywhere else.
“Zinzan (Brooke) reminds me almost every day about that drop-goal, especially as I was the one to kick him the ball in the first place. To be fair to him it was just such a ridiculous kick. It was a massive strike. He does love it.”
A Lion in the tour of New Zealand in ’93, Carling can look back on his career and say he is part of a special group of people, a select few to ever wear the prestigious shirt.
The hype of the Lions tour that comes along only every four years is back again this summer, and who better than an actual Lion to guide us through this year’s squad selection, made public in the week.
However, in old Will Carling fashion, the man does enlighten us first of all with his own unique experience of being a Lion.
“Well, I played shite didn’t I?” said in a brutally honest temper. “I would’ve liked to go on a Lions tour when I was in some form.
"The Lions is such a unique concept, and is a very bizarre experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it but was just disappointed that I didn’t perform the way I could.
“Going on a Lions tour is very bizarre. When you play for your club and national team, you know the drills, you know the game plans, and you can in some way settle into your comfort zone.
"With the Lions you can’t. You must go into them with the right frame of mind, and if you do, they are just an incredible experience.
“I am disappointed at the absence of Tom Croft in this summer’s tour, and I do feel Delon Armitage was a little unlucky not to make the cut. But, you know, there are a couple of good fullbacks going.
“As for Croft, I honestly thought he would start the test game. He’s good in the lineout and would be perfect on the hard-fast grounds in South Africa.
“You do have to be physical in South Africa as well. If you don’t compete with them in the front-five you are going to struggle. I think McGeechan has done a pretty good job in his selection, he’s got it pretty close for sure.”
In Carling’s non-playing days, he finds himself heavily involved in rugby still. Running his own hospitality business Will Carling Management Ltd, he is able to put a different spin on rugby, hosting functions post-match with some of the biggest names in rugby, bridging the different generations to have mastered the sport.
The Rucku.com fan-site is also a project Carling has taken on, an amusing way to keep up to date with rugby topics and debate, and include a bit of banter along the way.
Carling explains “It’s a rugby bar-stroke-clubhouse where guys can just have a laugh really. It’s a site where you can have a bit of banter, some slander, keep up to date with a bit of news, watch a few rugby videos, and basically have a good craic.”
The no-nonsense approach to rugby talk is what Carling and co. like.
The thought of giving their former rugby colleagues a bit of jip while talking rugby over a pint seems the perfect combination.
The belief that somewhere preserved inside, everyone still has the excitable boy who began his days playing the sport.
While keeping rugby light-hearted, more will surely want to follow it.
A time before the professional player, before salary caps, the Millennium Stadium, and of course Jonny.
The astute voice of Bill McLaren was in full swing, six nations were in fact five, and a certain Will Carling would lead his England side to their first back to back Grand Slams for sixty-seven years.
Separated by a world cup final appearance at Twickenham in ‘91, and followed by yet another Slam and another world cup run in ‘95, the success of England under Carling’s reign can only be topped in modern times by the exceptional achievements in 2003.
The man with the top job then was Martin Johnson, a captain of different circumstance to Carling, but a talisman of similar acclaim.
Courier Sport had the pleasure in speaking exclusively with the outspoken William Carling – OBE before I forget – discussing his romance with English Rugby, the time he became a Lion, and spending his post-match retirement living in a virtual clubhouse.
“My ambition was never to captain England” Carling said.
“I just wanted to play for my country, so when manager at the time Geoff Cooke rang to ask if I wanted the job, my first assumptions were that he must be joking. “No, really Will” was his response, which I found very bizarre since I was only 22 with little experience of playing for England.
“I played in a good England team, that’s why it was so successful. I would probably say, out of the three, my favourite Grand Slam would have to be the first one in ’91. The others were good, but at the time the relief just to beat the French and to play well without any issues, that’s what made it so special.
“As a captain in those days I had a lot more input in selection and team building compared to the likes of Johnson and others more recently.
"In today’s game more back-room staff are hired for precisely those jobs, leaving the captain to play rugby. In that sense I feel I had to be a more vocal captain than those after me. That there is a big difference between the amateur and professional eras for sure.”
Deliberation over the manner in which England took to the Twickenham field in the 1991 World Cup final does conjure up questions of the team’s leadership.
Losing to Australia at the final hurdle after a change in game plan that saw England turn to a more expansive tactic, you would have thought those involved may regret looking back on the day, especially the captain.
This is not the case however as Carling goes on to explain what happened 18 years ago as purely a question of hind-sight.
“People forget that we toured Australia that summer and got whacked 40 points to 15.
"When it came to the final we all decided to sit down for a bit and come up with a different way of playing them (away from the usual English forwards method). If we had taken our chances on the day we would have won. There are definitely no regrets, we just didn’t take our chances.
“The quarter-final win over Australia in ’95 was one hell of a game. It was nice to avenge them after that final, but then again you could say to what end if we were going on to lose to New Zealand in the semi anyway.
“New Zealand had a very good side,” Carling continued. “Jonah Lomu was a great player. In ’99 he was good, but nowhere near the player he was in 1995. If you put two or three on him to slow him down, you’d just end up leaving holes everywhere else.
“Zinzan (Brooke) reminds me almost every day about that drop-goal, especially as I was the one to kick him the ball in the first place. To be fair to him it was just such a ridiculous kick. It was a massive strike. He does love it.”
A Lion in the tour of New Zealand in ’93, Carling can look back on his career and say he is part of a special group of people, a select few to ever wear the prestigious shirt.
The hype of the Lions tour that comes along only every four years is back again this summer, and who better than an actual Lion to guide us through this year’s squad selection, made public in the week.
However, in old Will Carling fashion, the man does enlighten us first of all with his own unique experience of being a Lion.
“Well, I played shite didn’t I?” said in a brutally honest temper. “I would’ve liked to go on a Lions tour when I was in some form.
"The Lions is such a unique concept, and is a very bizarre experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it but was just disappointed that I didn’t perform the way I could.
“Going on a Lions tour is very bizarre. When you play for your club and national team, you know the drills, you know the game plans, and you can in some way settle into your comfort zone.
"With the Lions you can’t. You must go into them with the right frame of mind, and if you do, they are just an incredible experience.
“I am disappointed at the absence of Tom Croft in this summer’s tour, and I do feel Delon Armitage was a little unlucky not to make the cut. But, you know, there are a couple of good fullbacks going.
“As for Croft, I honestly thought he would start the test game. He’s good in the lineout and would be perfect on the hard-fast grounds in South Africa.
“You do have to be physical in South Africa as well. If you don’t compete with them in the front-five you are going to struggle. I think McGeechan has done a pretty good job in his selection, he’s got it pretty close for sure.”
In Carling’s non-playing days, he finds himself heavily involved in rugby still. Running his own hospitality business Will Carling Management Ltd, he is able to put a different spin on rugby, hosting functions post-match with some of the biggest names in rugby, bridging the different generations to have mastered the sport.
The Rucku.com fan-site is also a project Carling has taken on, an amusing way to keep up to date with rugby topics and debate, and include a bit of banter along the way.
Carling explains “It’s a rugby bar-stroke-clubhouse where guys can just have a laugh really. It’s a site where you can have a bit of banter, some slander, keep up to date with a bit of news, watch a few rugby videos, and basically have a good craic.”
The no-nonsense approach to rugby talk is what Carling and co. like.
The thought of giving their former rugby colleagues a bit of jip while talking rugby over a pint seems the perfect combination.
The belief that somewhere preserved inside, everyone still has the excitable boy who began his days playing the sport.
While keeping rugby light-hearted, more will surely want to follow it.
Thursday 23 April 2009
Medicals leave Larrikins humourless
Intermural Cup - 22/04/09
Medicals 24, Larrikins 21
Medicals RFC booked their place in the Inter-mural cup final last Wednesday after edging past Larrikins at Cochrane Park. Having already beaten the side back in November the Medics must have fancied their chances. Additions to the Larrikins’ pack however and a stronger setup this time round forced a dog fight in a fast paced and furiously tempered encounter which made for interesting viewing. 24-21 the game ended and the Medicals will now face last year’s runners-up in a final the Cheeky Ladies will definitely not want to lose two years on the bounce.
Another day of North-East sunshine made for perfect playing conditions. Larrikins were first to make their mark kicking an early three points and seemed set on imposing themselves upfront throwing plenty of men into the breakdown. Opening exchanges with the boot made for a topsy-turvy start with little impression, but as the game matured both sides were willing to take it by the scruff of the neck and play a little closer to the edge, adopting adventurous passing games.
Both were a little premature in attack however, hoping to score on every occasion the backline received the ball. Making the yards by the individual rather than collectively, quality in attack lacked, although strong boastful tackling was still needed to stop the hard but optimistic charges. The first chance fell to Danny O’Brian of the Medics – a break down the left wing saw the hooker come meters from putting his side ahead, only to be caught by the chasing winger. Even amid the uneven match in pace between the front-rower and the Larrikin speedster, it still presented an appetising taster for things to come.
The Meds did find their score finally. Persistence in the forward-drive put Larrikins on the back foot. Handing the Larrikins a dose of their own medicine the men in maroon picked and drived thirty meters before sending Tom Burden over. A change in game plan and the Medicals kept the ball tight and tidy with plenty of support, Burden finishing with a short dart and dive over the whitewash putting his side ahead in the nineteenth minute.
Larrikins came back with a strong response. A period of controlled possession left the Meds propped up under their posts, until they finally buckled when Larries’ centre Will Mellor cut a line off the scrum, carving his way to a superb score for his side. A monster drop goal from halfway put a smile on Mellor’s face again and the Larrikins in pole position heading in at the half. 13-7 to the good and the Larrikins looked in inspirational mood.
But not as inspiring as the Meds’ half-time team talk. A flourish of tries reversed the lead again, David Winterflood making use of an endowment in space on the wing and a couple from scrum half Jack Mercer put the Medicals in the driving seat at 24-13. Winterflood was unstoppable with a quick step and change of speed to beat the fullback, and Mercer had a sense of Falcons’ Micky Young about him with the quickness of thought to pull off the breakdown and score on two occasions. A nice nudge from Mercer to convert the first of the three helped the Medics into a healthy lead with only twenty minutes still to play.
A Larrikins penalty opportunity was pulled wide before being called back, handing Mellor another chance to stick the ball over. Gaps began to appear in both defensive lines, and quick off-loading from the Larrikins pursuing attack saw them gain some well needed territory in search of a try to bring them back to within a score. And they found it, this time Michael Quest surging over on seventy-one minutes to bring the Larrikins back.
Unconverted however and the Larrikins remained three points short. Two Medical charge downs, one in each half, could have resulted in two extra tries if not for handling errors before touching down. The Meds survived the final ten nevertheless and will now be preparing for an even tougher operation this Wednesday. Even with the win under their belts, a sturdier game plan may be needed against Cheeky Ladies if the Medics are to bring some silverware back to their home in Heaton.
Medicals 24, Larrikins 21
Medicals RFC booked their place in the Inter-mural cup final last Wednesday after edging past Larrikins at Cochrane Park. Having already beaten the side back in November the Medics must have fancied their chances. Additions to the Larrikins’ pack however and a stronger setup this time round forced a dog fight in a fast paced and furiously tempered encounter which made for interesting viewing. 24-21 the game ended and the Medicals will now face last year’s runners-up in a final the Cheeky Ladies will definitely not want to lose two years on the bounce.
Another day of North-East sunshine made for perfect playing conditions. Larrikins were first to make their mark kicking an early three points and seemed set on imposing themselves upfront throwing plenty of men into the breakdown. Opening exchanges with the boot made for a topsy-turvy start with little impression, but as the game matured both sides were willing to take it by the scruff of the neck and play a little closer to the edge, adopting adventurous passing games.
Both were a little premature in attack however, hoping to score on every occasion the backline received the ball. Making the yards by the individual rather than collectively, quality in attack lacked, although strong boastful tackling was still needed to stop the hard but optimistic charges. The first chance fell to Danny O’Brian of the Medics – a break down the left wing saw the hooker come meters from putting his side ahead, only to be caught by the chasing winger. Even amid the uneven match in pace between the front-rower and the Larrikin speedster, it still presented an appetising taster for things to come.
The Meds did find their score finally. Persistence in the forward-drive put Larrikins on the back foot. Handing the Larrikins a dose of their own medicine the men in maroon picked and drived thirty meters before sending Tom Burden over. A change in game plan and the Medicals kept the ball tight and tidy with plenty of support, Burden finishing with a short dart and dive over the whitewash putting his side ahead in the nineteenth minute.
Larrikins came back with a strong response. A period of controlled possession left the Meds propped up under their posts, until they finally buckled when Larries’ centre Will Mellor cut a line off the scrum, carving his way to a superb score for his side. A monster drop goal from halfway put a smile on Mellor’s face again and the Larrikins in pole position heading in at the half. 13-7 to the good and the Larrikins looked in inspirational mood.
But not as inspiring as the Meds’ half-time team talk. A flourish of tries reversed the lead again, David Winterflood making use of an endowment in space on the wing and a couple from scrum half Jack Mercer put the Medicals in the driving seat at 24-13. Winterflood was unstoppable with a quick step and change of speed to beat the fullback, and Mercer had a sense of Falcons’ Micky Young about him with the quickness of thought to pull off the breakdown and score on two occasions. A nice nudge from Mercer to convert the first of the three helped the Medics into a healthy lead with only twenty minutes still to play.
A Larrikins penalty opportunity was pulled wide before being called back, handing Mellor another chance to stick the ball over. Gaps began to appear in both defensive lines, and quick off-loading from the Larrikins pursuing attack saw them gain some well needed territory in search of a try to bring them back to within a score. And they found it, this time Michael Quest surging over on seventy-one minutes to bring the Larrikins back.
Unconverted however and the Larrikins remained three points short. Two Medical charge downs, one in each half, could have resulted in two extra tries if not for handling errors before touching down. The Meds survived the final ten nevertheless and will now be preparing for an even tougher operation this Wednesday. Even with the win under their belts, a sturdier game plan may be needed against Cheeky Ladies if the Medics are to bring some silverware back to their home in Heaton.
Monday 20 April 2009
Bath secure vital comeback
Guinness Premiership 19/04/09
Newcastle 14, Bath 15
In form Bath had to come back from a two try deficit to spoil Newcastle’s final home game of the season, and did so securing their twelvth Guinness Premiership win. Owning most of the territory and possession throughout Sunday’s encounter it was a surprise to see the men from the Rec trail by such a margin. It was even more of a surprise however to see a Falcons side playing with the malice missed in their European exit only a week ago – a contrast as black and white as the team’s return to home colours following the loss at Vicarage Road.
Butch James failed to produce the kicking form that overwhelmed the Falcons side in the corresponding fixture a month ago, instead missing two simple penalty opportunities on a rare day of glorious North-East sunshine. Tom May was the first to pull a chance wide of the posts however, but could only be forgiven after his inside half Micky Young produced a performance worth savouring. Two moments of individual brilliance from Young helped give his Falcons side a fourteen point lead that would add insult to an injured James’ kicking game, which again continued with familiar inconsistency.
With a Falcons changing room said to involve a mix of emotions after the announcement that club captain Phil Dowson was on the move next season, the Northampton Saints player to be led his side like there was no tomorrow at Kingston Park. More power upfront was the most noticeable difference in the Falcons camp, even in the absence of Hayman, and as the youthful exuberance of Young shone through hard forward-graft, Newcastle began to turn lack of possession into a counter-attacking force to be reckoned with.
A hacked kick and chase from a loose ball, Young gathered and stepped inside before playing Danny Williams in with a kick rather than the sleight of hand, enabling the league convert to slide onto the ball, his momentum taking him away from the chasing defence and over the line for the score. Williams proving his desire for more tries in the thirteenth minute.
Bath continued to pursue the Falcons’ twenty-two. Frustration mounting, possession gained and then lost, the Bath game plan slowed almost to a stop. A boost then for the Falcons side to find themselves still ahead five minutes before the half, which was made sweeter as a quick tap and go from Young beat the retreating Bath pack and was finished with a dive for the line full of showman swagger.
After a day of contrast however, the Bath comeback was almost scripted. Changes from Bath director of rugby Stephen Meehan were made and proved dividend. Resilient Newcastle defence stood firm for 59 minutes only until a Bath quick tap and go forced its way past a normally reliable Jamie Noon. Bath’s Michael Claassens was the number nine this time to open the visitor’s account. A missed conversion from replacement fly-half Ryan Davis resumed the efforts of James from the first half, but he did make amends five minutes later converting another Bath try – centre Shontayne Hape going over in the corner.
14-12 still in the Falcons favour, but this wouldn’t last for long as 12 minutes from time new-comer Davis stole the game from the Falcons’ clutches, slotting a penalty neatly through the posts. Losing the two try cushion deservedly built in the first forty, Newcastle were left behind for the first time in the game, and after an immediate May penalty fell short of the posts, Bath found the gears to see out the win.
Bath were now the more organised. Replacement Rob Miller was introduced to increase the Newcastle speed of play, but the home support may believe a drop-goal opportunity was overlooked by the player in the side’s search for a five-pointer. A lowly point separated the sides at the final whistle, ironically a penalty kick making the difference. Territory and possession doesn’t tell a lie, and in this case it would be said Bath were deserved winners in an outstanding comeback that the Falcons may now look back on and ponder.
Newcastle 14, Bath 15
In form Bath had to come back from a two try deficit to spoil Newcastle’s final home game of the season, and did so securing their twelvth Guinness Premiership win. Owning most of the territory and possession throughout Sunday’s encounter it was a surprise to see the men from the Rec trail by such a margin. It was even more of a surprise however to see a Falcons side playing with the malice missed in their European exit only a week ago – a contrast as black and white as the team’s return to home colours following the loss at Vicarage Road.
Butch James failed to produce the kicking form that overwhelmed the Falcons side in the corresponding fixture a month ago, instead missing two simple penalty opportunities on a rare day of glorious North-East sunshine. Tom May was the first to pull a chance wide of the posts however, but could only be forgiven after his inside half Micky Young produced a performance worth savouring. Two moments of individual brilliance from Young helped give his Falcons side a fourteen point lead that would add insult to an injured James’ kicking game, which again continued with familiar inconsistency.
With a Falcons changing room said to involve a mix of emotions after the announcement that club captain Phil Dowson was on the move next season, the Northampton Saints player to be led his side like there was no tomorrow at Kingston Park. More power upfront was the most noticeable difference in the Falcons camp, even in the absence of Hayman, and as the youthful exuberance of Young shone through hard forward-graft, Newcastle began to turn lack of possession into a counter-attacking force to be reckoned with.
A hacked kick and chase from a loose ball, Young gathered and stepped inside before playing Danny Williams in with a kick rather than the sleight of hand, enabling the league convert to slide onto the ball, his momentum taking him away from the chasing defence and over the line for the score. Williams proving his desire for more tries in the thirteenth minute.
Bath continued to pursue the Falcons’ twenty-two. Frustration mounting, possession gained and then lost, the Bath game plan slowed almost to a stop. A boost then for the Falcons side to find themselves still ahead five minutes before the half, which was made sweeter as a quick tap and go from Young beat the retreating Bath pack and was finished with a dive for the line full of showman swagger.
After a day of contrast however, the Bath comeback was almost scripted. Changes from Bath director of rugby Stephen Meehan were made and proved dividend. Resilient Newcastle defence stood firm for 59 minutes only until a Bath quick tap and go forced its way past a normally reliable Jamie Noon. Bath’s Michael Claassens was the number nine this time to open the visitor’s account. A missed conversion from replacement fly-half Ryan Davis resumed the efforts of James from the first half, but he did make amends five minutes later converting another Bath try – centre Shontayne Hape going over in the corner.
14-12 still in the Falcons favour, but this wouldn’t last for long as 12 minutes from time new-comer Davis stole the game from the Falcons’ clutches, slotting a penalty neatly through the posts. Losing the two try cushion deservedly built in the first forty, Newcastle were left behind for the first time in the game, and after an immediate May penalty fell short of the posts, Bath found the gears to see out the win.
Bath were now the more organised. Replacement Rob Miller was introduced to increase the Newcastle speed of play, but the home support may believe a drop-goal opportunity was overlooked by the player in the side’s search for a five-pointer. A lowly point separated the sides at the final whistle, ironically a penalty kick making the difference. Territory and possession doesn’t tell a lie, and in this case it would be said Bath were deserved winners in an outstanding comeback that the Falcons may now look back on and ponder.
Tuesday 14 April 2009
Jackson spoils Falcons Euro ambitions
European Challenge Cup 12/04/09
Saracens 32, Newcastle 13
The feeling of anguish as the Falcons produced their poorest show thus far brought Steve Bates’ Newcastle side down to earth with a bang that shattered all hopes of winning silverware this season. 22 points from Saracens man of the match Glen Jackson left Newcastle reeling after the long journey to Vicarage Road, in a performance that even now thinking about will make Phil Dowson and his men shudder.
For most travelling support the day started at 6am Easter morning, as the Falcons’ early-bird brigade arrived with a sense of optimism ahead of the day’s European clash. In the early hours at Kingston Park you could only just make out the soccer posts which had replaced the usual rugby sticks at both ends of the pitch. As Blue Star were playing their soccer game at the Falcons’ nest, the Falcons’ side travelling down to Watford Football Club saw a different change in goals. Turning their sights from their successful battle against relegation, Newcastle’s new objective was now to turn their recent run of league form into European glory, which would start at Vicarage Road last Sunday.
Newcastle were the first to put the ball through the sticks. Tom May again taking advantage of an early penalty opportunity from 45 meters out. These however were the first points of a half that Saracens would then dominate, with the home side finishing twenty points ahead of their visitors at the interval. Glen Jackson put his side ahead with two penalty kicks in response to May's early ice-breaker, and by the 26th minute prop Census Johnston rolled over the whitewash from a well controlled line-out to hand the fez heads their first try of the afternoon.
No sooner after Newcastle were contemplating how to respond did the Saracens side then increase their lead. Glen Jackson was again fed off the line-out, splitting the pursuing Falcons’ defence with a delicate grubber kick, which was then picked up by Brad Barritt to score an opportunist try under the posts. 23-3 at the half confirmed the Saracens side had their finger firmly on the trigger as the Falcons stared directly down the barrels of a European exit.
All tries point north at Vicarage Road it turns out. After going three scores ahead of their visitors, it was obvious the half-time team talk in the Saracens’ dressing-room involved getting the extra three points to seal the game. An early drop goal opportunity fell to Jackson almost straight away, but this time the ball pulled wide of the posts unlike his effort just before the half. Another twenty minutes of Falcons frustration was then somehow rewarded with a try. A Newcastle break down the right in the 58th minute left the side meters from their opening score, which was elegantly finished as Tane Tu’ipulotu’s cross field kick emerged under Danny Williams to collect and put down.
Still not much for the Falcons support to shout about after May failed to convert and Jackson having already knocked over his third penalty of the day. Either way the south stand faithful could only continue in upbeat fashion, forcing smiles across their faces and reluctantly singing the Blaydon Races 270 miles from home. A last minute try from Captain Dowson could only cancel out two more Jackson penalties, and although the Falcons may have won the second half by a mere point, the first half remained the team’s burden on the afternoon. 32-13 the game ended and Saracens now face a trip to Franklin’s Gardens in the semi-finals.
Back to reality for the men in black then, who may only wish the trip south could be erased from memory. Tane had a strong performance however even when faced with the returning Andy Farrell to the Sarries’ setup. But, slow ball at the breakdown, a poor line-out, and a lack of forward power means the side will need to put right to a many wrongs this week if they wish to end their season at home with a flourish this Sunday. Bath are the visitors looking to continue their pursuit of a top four finish, meanwhile the Falcons will hopefully be shaping up their game plan to continue their winning streak at home.
Saracens 32, Newcastle 13
The feeling of anguish as the Falcons produced their poorest show thus far brought Steve Bates’ Newcastle side down to earth with a bang that shattered all hopes of winning silverware this season. 22 points from Saracens man of the match Glen Jackson left Newcastle reeling after the long journey to Vicarage Road, in a performance that even now thinking about will make Phil Dowson and his men shudder.
For most travelling support the day started at 6am Easter morning, as the Falcons’ early-bird brigade arrived with a sense of optimism ahead of the day’s European clash. In the early hours at Kingston Park you could only just make out the soccer posts which had replaced the usual rugby sticks at both ends of the pitch. As Blue Star were playing their soccer game at the Falcons’ nest, the Falcons’ side travelling down to Watford Football Club saw a different change in goals. Turning their sights from their successful battle against relegation, Newcastle’s new objective was now to turn their recent run of league form into European glory, which would start at Vicarage Road last Sunday.
Newcastle were the first to put the ball through the sticks. Tom May again taking advantage of an early penalty opportunity from 45 meters out. These however were the first points of a half that Saracens would then dominate, with the home side finishing twenty points ahead of their visitors at the interval. Glen Jackson put his side ahead with two penalty kicks in response to May's early ice-breaker, and by the 26th minute prop Census Johnston rolled over the whitewash from a well controlled line-out to hand the fez heads their first try of the afternoon.
No sooner after Newcastle were contemplating how to respond did the Saracens side then increase their lead. Glen Jackson was again fed off the line-out, splitting the pursuing Falcons’ defence with a delicate grubber kick, which was then picked up by Brad Barritt to score an opportunist try under the posts. 23-3 at the half confirmed the Saracens side had their finger firmly on the trigger as the Falcons stared directly down the barrels of a European exit.
All tries point north at Vicarage Road it turns out. After going three scores ahead of their visitors, it was obvious the half-time team talk in the Saracens’ dressing-room involved getting the extra three points to seal the game. An early drop goal opportunity fell to Jackson almost straight away, but this time the ball pulled wide of the posts unlike his effort just before the half. Another twenty minutes of Falcons frustration was then somehow rewarded with a try. A Newcastle break down the right in the 58th minute left the side meters from their opening score, which was elegantly finished as Tane Tu’ipulotu’s cross field kick emerged under Danny Williams to collect and put down.
Still not much for the Falcons support to shout about after May failed to convert and Jackson having already knocked over his third penalty of the day. Either way the south stand faithful could only continue in upbeat fashion, forcing smiles across their faces and reluctantly singing the Blaydon Races 270 miles from home. A last minute try from Captain Dowson could only cancel out two more Jackson penalties, and although the Falcons may have won the second half by a mere point, the first half remained the team’s burden on the afternoon. 32-13 the game ended and Saracens now face a trip to Franklin’s Gardens in the semi-finals.
Back to reality for the men in black then, who may only wish the trip south could be erased from memory. Tane had a strong performance however even when faced with the returning Andy Farrell to the Sarries’ setup. But, slow ball at the breakdown, a poor line-out, and a lack of forward power means the side will need to put right to a many wrongs this week if they wish to end their season at home with a flourish this Sunday. Bath are the visitors looking to continue their pursuit of a top four finish, meanwhile the Falcons will hopefully be shaping up their game plan to continue their winning streak at home.
Wednesday 1 April 2009
Reviewed ELVs collapsed
After a season of debate, the new experimental law variations have finally been assessed with all bar two surviving to fight another day. The most controversial variation however, the collapsing of the maul, has been withdrawn, much to the delight of rugby folk across the northern hemisphere. The change in temperament in the contact situation has hindered the game in our leagues, and although it may have been an introduction with the best intentions, the truth of the matter is to say life would be a lot more entertaining if it wasn’t introduced in the first place.
Steve Bates, Newcastle Falcons’ rugby director, spoke of its problems back in January, shining some light on why teams and coaching staff have struggled to come to terms with the collapsing of the maul. It was said that with the rolling maul now taken out of a team’s arsenal, a defending side can opt to leave minimal players in the contact situation, spreading a more condense defensive line across the pitch, and in turn encouraging an attacking team to kick more often with less ambition to run.
This is the opposite of what was intended, but, as seen in the recent Six Nations championships, teams have struggled to adapt to the conditions of fast contact rugby, influencing more aerial battles with the high ball, and fewer contests of wit and tactical running play on the floor.
Last weekend’s Anglo-Welsh cup game between Gloucester and the Ospreys saw the welsh side fall to an inspiring Cherrys defence. Ryan Jones’ men left without even a point to show for their efforts, and although it was the men in red who booked their place at Twickenham, I would like to have seen the game played again without the collapsing maul. Ryan Lamb at ten instigated his albeit hot and cold kicking game, and in doing so failed to capitalise on space in attack, reciprocating a well drilled Gloucester defence.
The returning combination of Hook, Henson, Bowe, and Williams to the Ospreys’ setup would have suggested a host of tries in the score line. This was non-evident, with Williams trying his hardest to shine and thus proving his step can be stopped with the lack of room to manoeuvre. If the play was pulled inwardly with more emphasis in the rucks and mauls, would we have seen the running Welsh rugby of old and therefore a different result after the eighty minutes? Overall, a pleasing result for Dean Ryan’s side who have established their best form of attack is an unyielding defence, publicised in the authoritative 17-0 win.
Law variations to be kept include the ruling that prohibits kicking directly into touch from ball played back into the twenty-two, the five-meter offside rule at the scrum, and the corner flag not being treated as touch in goal. I stand quietly pleased with these outcomes as the first two especially have proved to increase the game’s fluency and excitement to some extent.
The other variation discarded is the freedom for teams to choose numbers in the line-out, which, although has had some good impacts on the game, none of which make that much difference to the standard of play.
The controversial impact of the ELVs over the past seven months have caused more trouble than I feel it is worth. Any law changes that are going to give Brian Moore and Jonathan Davies more to shout about surely would encourage fewer variations in future trials. We are coming to an end of a guinea-pig of a season; hopefully next season’s rugby will be left out of the lab and played out on the paddock.
Steve Bates, Newcastle Falcons’ rugby director, spoke of its problems back in January, shining some light on why teams and coaching staff have struggled to come to terms with the collapsing of the maul. It was said that with the rolling maul now taken out of a team’s arsenal, a defending side can opt to leave minimal players in the contact situation, spreading a more condense defensive line across the pitch, and in turn encouraging an attacking team to kick more often with less ambition to run.
This is the opposite of what was intended, but, as seen in the recent Six Nations championships, teams have struggled to adapt to the conditions of fast contact rugby, influencing more aerial battles with the high ball, and fewer contests of wit and tactical running play on the floor.
Last weekend’s Anglo-Welsh cup game between Gloucester and the Ospreys saw the welsh side fall to an inspiring Cherrys defence. Ryan Jones’ men left without even a point to show for their efforts, and although it was the men in red who booked their place at Twickenham, I would like to have seen the game played again without the collapsing maul. Ryan Lamb at ten instigated his albeit hot and cold kicking game, and in doing so failed to capitalise on space in attack, reciprocating a well drilled Gloucester defence.
The returning combination of Hook, Henson, Bowe, and Williams to the Ospreys’ setup would have suggested a host of tries in the score line. This was non-evident, with Williams trying his hardest to shine and thus proving his step can be stopped with the lack of room to manoeuvre. If the play was pulled inwardly with more emphasis in the rucks and mauls, would we have seen the running Welsh rugby of old and therefore a different result after the eighty minutes? Overall, a pleasing result for Dean Ryan’s side who have established their best form of attack is an unyielding defence, publicised in the authoritative 17-0 win.
Law variations to be kept include the ruling that prohibits kicking directly into touch from ball played back into the twenty-two, the five-meter offside rule at the scrum, and the corner flag not being treated as touch in goal. I stand quietly pleased with these outcomes as the first two especially have proved to increase the game’s fluency and excitement to some extent.
The other variation discarded is the freedom for teams to choose numbers in the line-out, which, although has had some good impacts on the game, none of which make that much difference to the standard of play.
The controversial impact of the ELVs over the past seven months have caused more trouble than I feel it is worth. Any law changes that are going to give Brian Moore and Jonathan Davies more to shout about surely would encourage fewer variations in future trials. We are coming to an end of a guinea-pig of a season; hopefully next season’s rugby will be left out of the lab and played out on the paddock.
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