Newcastle Falcons edge out Dragons with a 32-27 margin

Newcastle Falcons 32-27 Dragons, Kingston Park
Scorecard

Newcastle Falcons resisted a stern fightback from Dragons to win their European Rugby Challenge Cup encounter with a five point margin at Kingston Park on Saturday.

Prop Rob Vickers got the Falcons off the mark with a 12th minute try and soon Toby Flood followed him with the conversion.

After Angus O'Brien and Flood exchanged penalties, the Dragons fly-half kicked another three pointer to cut down the gap to four points but a 37th minute touchdown from Adam Radwan meant the home side had a nine point lead at half time.

The Dragons showed a lot of intent in the second half as replacement Rynard Landman and winger Ashton Hewitt went past the line in the first 10 minutes after restart and a double conversion from O'Brien meant the Welsh side took the margin to 15-20 in favour of them.

However, the Falcons replied back through a try from Gary Graham in the 52nd minute but his efforts were negated when Pat Howard replied with a try of his own as Dragons maintained their five point lead at the end of the third quarter.

This is when Mark Wilson scored the decisive try that helped attain a bonus point and also level the scores while Flood kicked a conversion and a penalty to help them complete a five point victory.