European Challenge Cup
Newcastle get maximum haul against Connacht
PA Sport
December 20, 2015
© (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Newcastle put themselves back in European Challenge Cup quarter-final contention with a bonus point victory over Connacht on Sunday at Kingston Park.

The Falcons' 29-5 triumph leaves them two points behind Connacht -- who could only field a 22-man squad due to injury problems -- with two games left. And it was all due to a superb second-half performance that saw Newcastle score 24 unanswered points.

The opening 40 minutes proved a cagey affair, with Marcus Watson's wonderful solo effort cancelled out by Danie Poolman's try, making it 5-5 at the break. Newcastle, though, put poor Premiership form behind them to make the second 40 minutes a procession.

The Falcons gained a 44th-minute penalty try which saw Connacht's Eoghan Masterson sin-binned and five minutes later Belsario Agulla claimed a touchdown that left Connacht playing catch-up on a day when victory would have left them within touching distance of the last-eight.

Newcastle now had the bit between their teeth, and another penalty try brought the bonus point and 60 seconds later Watson had his second thanks in part to a great break from Simon Hammersley.

Connacht could find no way back, and Newcastle had done enough to ensure that when Challenge Cup action resumes in January, they are in a three-way scrap for last-eight recognition with Connacht and French side Brive.

© PA Sport

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