Edinburgh move to top after beating Newcastle 31-13

Edinburgh 31-13 Newcastle Falcons, BT Murrayfield Stadium
Scorecard

Edinburgh managed to outplay Newcastle Falcons with a 31-13 victory during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool 5 clash at BT Murrayfield Stadium on Friday.

The win means Edinburgh has now leapfrogged Newcastle to the pole position in the table with the Premiership side positioned second after facing their first defeat in the competition.

After Joel Hodgson missed the game due to an injury, fly-half Brett Connon took in charge of the kicking responsibilities, and he got the Falcons off the mark with a fifth minute penalty kick after Edinburgh were penalised for off-side.

The home side bounced back in the 15th minute when Hamish Watson went over the line and Jaco van der Walt kicked the extras.

Adam Radwan, who was sensational for the Falcons last season where he scored 10 tries from eight Challenge Cup matches, scored the opening try for the visitors in the 30th minute that was improved by Connon. As the half-time was approaching van der Walt and Connon traded penalties as the teams went into the break with a 10-13 scoreline.

Edinburgh started the second half strong with Chris Dean dotting down in the 44th minute and van der Walt slotted the extras as they seized back the lead. By the 57th minute the Scottish side was awarded a penalty try after multiple scrums were brought down by Newcastle Falcons.

Any hope of a Falcons comeback was put off with their final try coming from Blair Kinghorn to seal a bonus point win for Edinburgh.