Newcastle Falcons v Dragons Match Report
After an impressive display of rugby at Kingston Park, Newport Gwent Dragons have successfully qualified for the quarter-finals of the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
The Welsh Region ran away in the first half of the match and despite Newcastle’s efforts to pull back the point’s deficit, the Men of Gwent ended the match with an incredible win of 40-29.
With tries from Tyler Morgan, skipper Rynard Landman, Andrew Coombs, two from Hallam Amos and a penalty try, the Dragons now lead Pool Three. The Dragons will look forward with great optimism as they attempt to do the double over Stade Francais next weekend, in order to secure a home cup qualifying match.
Newcastle Falcons took an early lead in the match with the first penalty of the game being awarded to the home side; Tom Catterick knocked over a successful penalty goal and led the points 3-0.
The Dragons were quick to respond as Jonathan Evans managed to secure an over thrown lineout ball close to the halfway, he worked it out wide and it was centre Jack Dixon who passed it to Tyler Morgan to finish; Tom Prydie added the extras.
The Men of Gwent extended their lead when referee John Lacey, awarded the visitors a penalty try.
This was after Falcons flanker Richard Mayhew was sin-binned for not rolling away after stopping Tyler Morgan just a few inches away from the line. The Dragons kicked to the corner and the rolling maul from the lineout was brought down illegally resulting in a penalty try for the visitors.
The Dragons next try came from another rolling maul, this time it worked and it was Andrew Coombs who crossed the try line, once again Prydie added the extras.
After just 25 minutes the visitors claimed their bonus point as Welsh International Hallam Amos finished in the corner, with Prydie successfully converting his fourth try.
The Dragons went on to secure their fifth try of the afternoon, after Amos collected his own kick and passed it onto skipper Rynard Landman who made it over the line to make it 35-3 at half time.
Half Time: Newcastle Falcons 3 – Newport Gwent Dragons 35
The home side came out fighting in the second half as they scored a try almost instantly after the second half had resumed. It was their replacement centre Juan Pablo Socino who went over the line for Catterick to convert.
The home side crossed for a second try, after 52 minutes, when Chris Harris chased a kick down and sped over the try line to make it 35-17.
On the one hour marker the Dragons stopped the Falcons in their tracks, as winger Amos crossed over the line for his second try of the afternoon, extending their lead to 40-17. But back came the Falcons as Will Welch charged over after 65 minutes, with replacement Rory Clegg kicking the conversion.
It was in the 73rd minute the home team scored their bonus point with a driving lineout, it was flanker Andy Saull who scored the try, but Clegg missed the posts ending the game with a score of 40-29.
Newcastle Falcons Team: Simon Hammersley, Tom Penny, Adam Powell, Chris Harris, Alex Tait, Tom Catterick, Ruki Tipuna; Alex Rogers, George McGuigan, Kieran Brookes, Sean Robinson, Kane Thompson, Richard Mayhew, Andy Saull, Chris York.
Newport Gwent Dragons Team: Tom Prydie, Matthew Pewtner, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Dorian Jones, Jonathan Davies; Phil Price, Hugh Gustafson, Brok Harris, Andrew Coombs, Rynard Landman (c), James Thomas, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans.
Man of the Match: Tyler Morgan (Dragons)
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Attendance: 3,280
The Welsh Region ran away in the first half of the match and despite Newcastle’s efforts to pull back the point’s deficit, the Men of Gwent ended the match with an incredible win of 40-29.
With tries from Tyler Morgan, skipper Rynard Landman, Andrew Coombs, two from Hallam Amos and a penalty try, the Dragons now lead Pool Three. The Dragons will look forward with great optimism as they attempt to do the double over Stade Francais next weekend, in order to secure a home cup qualifying match.
Newcastle Falcons took an early lead in the match with the first penalty of the game being awarded to the home side; Tom Catterick knocked over a successful penalty goal and led the points 3-0.
The Dragons were quick to respond as Jonathan Evans managed to secure an over thrown lineout ball close to the halfway, he worked it out wide and it was centre Jack Dixon who passed it to Tyler Morgan to finish; Tom Prydie added the extras.
The Men of Gwent extended their lead when referee John Lacey, awarded the visitors a penalty try.
This was after Falcons flanker Richard Mayhew was sin-binned for not rolling away after stopping Tyler Morgan just a few inches away from the line. The Dragons kicked to the corner and the rolling maul from the lineout was brought down illegally resulting in a penalty try for the visitors.
The Dragons next try came from another rolling maul, this time it worked and it was Andrew Coombs who crossed the try line, once again Prydie added the extras.
After just 25 minutes the visitors claimed their bonus point as Welsh International Hallam Amos finished in the corner, with Prydie successfully converting his fourth try.
The Dragons went on to secure their fifth try of the afternoon, after Amos collected his own kick and passed it onto skipper Rynard Landman who made it over the line to make it 35-3 at half time.
Half Time: Newcastle Falcons 3 – Newport Gwent Dragons 35
The home side came out fighting in the second half as they scored a try almost instantly after the second half had resumed. It was their replacement centre Juan Pablo Socino who went over the line for Catterick to convert.
The home side crossed for a second try, after 52 minutes, when Chris Harris chased a kick down and sped over the try line to make it 35-17.
On the one hour marker the Dragons stopped the Falcons in their tracks, as winger Amos crossed over the line for his second try of the afternoon, extending their lead to 40-17. But back came the Falcons as Will Welch charged over after 65 minutes, with replacement Rory Clegg kicking the conversion.
It was in the 73rd minute the home team scored their bonus point with a driving lineout, it was flanker Andy Saull who scored the try, but Clegg missed the posts ending the game with a score of 40-29.
Newcastle Falcons Team: Simon Hammersley, Tom Penny, Adam Powell, Chris Harris, Alex Tait, Tom Catterick, Ruki Tipuna; Alex Rogers, George McGuigan, Kieran Brookes, Sean Robinson, Kane Thompson, Richard Mayhew, Andy Saull, Chris York.
Newport Gwent Dragons Team: Tom Prydie, Matthew Pewtner, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Dorian Jones, Jonathan Davies; Phil Price, Hugh Gustafson, Brok Harris, Andrew Coombs, Rynard Landman (c), James Thomas, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans.
Man of the Match: Tyler Morgan (Dragons)
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Attendance: 3,280
