Newcastle Falcons vs Sale Sharks Match-Day Programme

25 YEARS AGO – APRIL 25,
1999
NEWCASTLE FALCONS 39-15
GLOUCESTER
After hitting the heights with their Premiership triumph 12
months earlier, the 1998-99 season proved something of an
anti-climax. Whilst results picked up a little following the failed
experiment of playing home matches at Gateshead Stadium,
consistency proved elusive and the side eventually finished
eighth in the league with 14 wins from 26 matches in a 14-team
league. In amongst the inconsistency were some impressive
results, including this convincing victory over Gloucester at
Kingston Park in what was the Falcons’ third match inside a
week.
Gloucester started the more lively and went ahead after three
minutes when centre Mike Davies took advantage of sluggish
defence to cross. The conversion from Simon Mannix gave the
visitors an early 7-0 lead. Newcastle butchered several goldplated
try-scoring opportunities but looked to have scored
when No.8 Ross Beattie went over, but referee Steve Lander
was unsighted and could not award the try. From the resulting
scrum Gloucester went offside and Newcastle decided to take
the points on offer through the boot of Jonny Wilkinson, who
added a second penalty four minutes later to narrow the gap
to a single point.
Mark Mapletoft, whose miscued drop out had set up the
opportunity for the Falcons, responded immediately with a
penalty after Richard Arnold was penalised for not releasing,
but the home side were now in full control. They brought on
fresh legs, and after Doddie Weir had secured lineout ball
replacement Peter Walton set up a try for Gary Armstrong,
and with Wilkinson’s conversion the Falcons looked to be out
of sight at 25-10.
Armstrong, who had scored a hat-trick in the midweek
thumping of Richmond, went over for his second try just four
minutes later - Wilkinson again converting. With the game
becoming fragmented through the number of replacements a
rare mistake in midfield from Wilkinson enabled Chris Catling
to kick ahead, and Beim beat the retreating defence to touch
down in the corner with six minutes plus injury time remaining.
The Falcons were not to be denied the final score as the match
entered added on time, and popular prop George Graham
crashed over for the fifth try, converted inevitably by Wilkinson.
The teams that day were as follows:
Newcastle Falcons: S.Legg; J.Naylor; M.Shaw: T.May (rep.
P.Massey 71); M.Wood; J.Wilkinson: G.Armstrong (capt);
G.Graham; R.Nesdale (rep. R.Horton 60); M.Hurter (rep. I.Peel
66); G.Archer; D.Weir (rep. H.Vyvyan 71); S.O’Neill (rep. P.Walton
41); R.Arnold; R.Beattie
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
The constant pressure from the Falcons was bound to tell
eventually, and after 28 minutes an intricate move involving
winger Michael Wood and Tom May, who was making his home
Premiership debut, the former went over for a try. Wilkinson
could not convert but the Falcons led 11-7 at the break.
Early in the second half it was Gloucester’s turn to butcher a
try-scoring opportunity when winger Tom Beim knocked on
with the line at his mercy. Newcastle took full advantage of this
let off when Gary Armstrong received a skewed 22 drop-out and
embarked on a cross-field run before feeding Stuart Legg, who
crossed for the try. Wilkinson converted and the lead was 18-7.
Gloucester: C.Catling; T.Beim; R.Tombs; M.Davies; R.Jewell;
S.Mannix (rep. M.Mapletoft 31); I.Sanders; T.Windo; C.Fortey;
P.Vickery; R.Ward (rep. A.Eustace); D.Sims (capt); S.Ojomoh;
N.Carter (re. A.Hazell); E.Peirce
The Falcons gained some consolation in a disappointing season
by reaching the Tetley Bitter Cup-Final, but even then they were
outplayed in losing 29-19 to Wasps.
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