Injury time boost for Newcastle
February 7, 2003
Leeds Tykes 12 Newcastle Falcons 17
A try from Newcastle substitute Hall Charlton six minutes into injury time Newcastle trailed for virtually the entire match until a 78th-minute penalty from England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson nudged his side ahead for the first time.
But Tykes centre Braan van Straaten slotted what appeared to be the winning
Charlton popped up on the left though to clinch the winning score, which was Former Springbok van Straaten looked to have clinched the match for Leeds with a flawless kicking display - his side never looked like scoring a try - and it took just 42 seconds for him to nudge his side ahead with a long-range penalty. Leeds continued to pressurise with their forwards driving the Falcons' pack backwards at a rate of knots, eventually securing another penalty which van Straaten stroked over.
Newcastle struck back with a series of raids which swept them deep into home But they continued to play in the Leeds half, using Tongan flanker Epi Taione as a battering ram up the centre of the pitch to secure a good field position.
The Falcons were awarded a penalty by referee Chris White which Wilkinson
Newcastle were dominating now, using a stream of possession to hammer away at Taione, who shone against Harlequins last week, was being used in a full-back position during open play to run the ball back at Leeds, a task his powerful frame is well suited to.
One charge down the wing caused panic in the home ranks but just as he had
The Tykes won the ball at the ensuing lineout before working their way
Newcastle piled forward after the break to send Leeds back peddling
The Tykes' pack was starting to buckle from Newcastle's relentless pressure
A surging forward drive laid the foundation as substitute scrum-half Charlton scooped up the ball and fed Wilkinson who slipped over in the corner, with the Wilkinson and van Straaten then exchanged penalties before Charlton ran in their winning try deep into injury time. |
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