Wasps beat Newcastle and close on top two

Wasps earned a 20-34 Aviva Premiership victory over Newcastle Falcons to keep the pressure on Saracens and Exeter.

Dan Robson and Thomas Young scored two tries each as Wasps outscored Newcastle by five tries to two.

Newcastle scored one first-half try through Taione Vea, with Mike Delany kicking five points. Wasps scored two tries of their own through George Smith and Dan Robson, with Jimmy Gopperth kicking five points.

In the second half, Wasps secure the try bonus point with three scores from Robson and two from Thomas Young. Newcastle scored a single second half try through George McGuigan.

After a scoreless opening 15 minutes, the home side opened the scoring with a penalty from the boot of Delany. Wasps fly-half Gopperth levelled the scores from the tee, before Australian veteran Smith crossed the line for the the first try of the game eight minutes before half time.

Their second followed shortly after. Scrum-half Robson spotted a gap and darted over to extend Wasps lead to 15-3.

Newcastle were denied a try just before the break due to an obstruction in the build up.

Deep into over time at the end of the first half, Newcastle grabbed their first try through tighthead prop Vea who crashed over from two yards. Delany converted to reduce Wasps lead to five points.

The Falcons picked up where they left off at the start of the second half. A Delany penalty reduced the deficit to just two points.

Wasps were quick to respond. A powerful run from replacement back-row Nathan Hughes led to Robson panting the ball at the base of the posts. After conformation from the TMO the visitors lead was back to seven points.

Another try followed straight from kick off. A powerful run from Gopperth was finished off by Young for Wasps second try in as many minutes.

With 15 minutes to go, Newcastle scored their second try through McGuigan, with Delany’s conversion setting up an enthralling final ten minutes.

After sustained pressure from Newcastle, it was Wasps with the vital score. Their fifth try of the day came through Young, who powered over for his second of the game. The win takes Wasps up to second in the table, just one point behind the Exeter Chiefs.

Final Score Newcastle Falcons 20 (10) Wasps 34 (15)

Scorers

Newcastle Falcons
Tries – Vea, McGuigan
Pen – Delany 2
Con – Delany 2
Drop –

Wasps
Tries – Smith, Robson 2, Young 2
Pen – Gopperth
Con – Gopperth 3
Drop –

Match Officials
Referee :JP Doyle (110th Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Roger Baileff & Roy Maybank
TMO: David Rose.

Teams

Newcastle Falcons

15 Simon Hammersley , 14 Alex Tait , 13 Chris Harris , 12 Adam Powell , 11 Marcus Watson , 10 Mike Delany , 9 Michael Young , , 1 Rob Vickers , 2 George McGuigan , 3 Taione Vea , 4 Calum Green , 5 Sean Robinson , 6 Mark Wilson , 7 Will Welch (captain) , 8 Nili Latu

Replacements : 16 Scott Lawson , 17 Alex Rogers , 18 Mike Cusack , 19 Ally Hogg , 20 Sinoti Sinoti , 21 Sonatane Takulua , 22 Andy Goode , 23 Belisario Agulla

Wasps

15. Rob Miller , 14. Christian Wade , 13. Elliot Daly , 12. Siale Piutau , 11. Josh Bassett , 10. Jimmy Gopperth , 9. Dan Robson , 1. Matt Mullan © , 2. Ashley Johnson , 3. Jake Cooper-Woolley , 4. Joe Launchbury , 5. Kearnan Myall , 6. Thomas Young , 7. George Smith , 8. Sam Jones

Replacements : 16. Carlo Festuccia , 17. Simon McIntyre , 18. Phil Swainston , 19. James Cannon , 20. Nathan Hughes , 21. Craig Hampson , 22. Ruaridh Jackson , 23. Brendan Macken