Jimmy Gopperth kicked Newcastle to an 11-15 victory over London Irish at Madejski Stadium on Sunday.
The Falcons took the lead in the 13th minute after New Zealander Gopperth slotted the first penalty of the clash and he kept the score-board ticking shortly afterwards, kicking his side into a six-point lead.
The kicking contest continued until the break as Gopperth added two more penalties to take Newcastle's total up to 12, while Ryan Lamb scored Irish's only points of the half with a lone penalty.
The Exiles reduced the deficit by three points after the interval as Jamie Lennard sneaked over a drop-goal.
The hosts' momentum continued into the 55th minute as they scored a try through eighth-man Christopher Hala'ufia, but Peter Hewat was unable to give his side the lead as he missed the extras.
Gopperth extended Falcons' fragile lead to four points with his fifth penalty as they held on for the win.
Final Score London Irish 11 Newcastle 15
Scorers
London Irish
Tries - Hala'ufia
Pen - Lamb
DGs - Lennard
Newcastle
Pen - Gopperth (5)
Teams
London Irish: 15 Jamie Lennard, 14 Peter Hewat, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Charlie Gower, 11 John Rudd, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Peter Richards, 8 Richard Thorpe 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Kieran Roche, 5 Bob Casey (capt), 4 Nick Kennedy, 3 Paulica Ion, 2 Danie Coetzee, 1 Clarke Dermody.
Replacements: 16 David Paice, 17 Dan Murphy, 18 Alex Corbisiero, 19 Andy Perry, 20 Jonathon Fisher, 21 Marcus Watson, 22 Chris Malone, 23 Mike Catt.
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Charlie Amesbury, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Adam Balding, 7 Will Welch, 6 Tim Swinson, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 James Hudson, 3 Carl Hayman (capt), 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Alex Walker 17 Micky Ward, 18 Laurence Ovens, 19 Josh Afu, 20 Ed Williamson, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Gcobani Bobo.
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