Falcons fall to the Championship with 28-19 Loss to Gloucester

Newcastle Falcons have been relegated with a game to play after a 28-19 loss to Gloucester at Kingsholm in an end to end encounter. 

The Falcons headed into the game needing a bonus point win to keep their Premiership hopes alive with Leicester Tigers claiming a vital point away to Harlequins on Friday night. Gloucester were needing just a point to secure 3rd spot in the table. 

The away side were the first to get on the score board against the run of play when Alex Dunbar, making his first start for the Falcons, broke through the defensive line with Michael Young going over after a number of offloads to the support flooding through. 

The Cherry and Whites began to dominate the first half, being camped in the opposition for the best part of 10 minutes with Falcons giving away a number of penalties which saw Captain Toby Flood sent to the bin.

Gloucester eventually broke through to draw level when a classic out the back loop move between Callum Braley, Billy Twelvetress and Danny Cipriani saw Jason Woodward cross unopposed from 5 metres out.  

However, The Northeastern outfit hit back quickly against the run of play again as Sinoti Sinoti wriggled over off the back of a maul to go 7-12 ahead. 

Gloucester then begin to dominate the rest of the half as Newcastle’s discipline became poor. Glos capitalised on this scoring two quick tries, the first a solo effort by Cipriani from close range then simple draw and pass to put Charlie Sharples in at the corner to make it 21-12 at half time. 

Newcastle started the half brightly after Alex Tait was held up on the line within the first 2 minutes of the half. The away side continued this pressure, camping on the Glos line for ten minutes with the defending side giving away several penalties resulting in a Lewis Ludlow yellow card. However, they were unable to convert with a knock on 5 metres out which received a loud roar from the Kingsholm crowd. 

Falcons continued to fight for their premiership lives but were once again held up. Referee Tom Foley went back for an earlier penalty which saw Falcons kick to the corner. From the resulting line out Newcastle drove over with George McGuigan dotting down to make the score 21-19 and to give them hope.

The away side were now in top gear breaking through the Glos defence repeatedly but were hit by a huge blow as Matt Banahan intercepted a loose pass to run in from his own 22 metre line. 28-19.  

The remaining 15 minutes was a scrappy a fair with either side unable to take a hold of the game with a number of unforced errors slowing the flow of the game which led to fresh legs being rolled on for both sides.

Now relegated Newcastle face Bristol on the final day  to play for nothing but pride whilst Gloucester look to build momentum towards the play offs against Sale at the AJ Bell. 

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