Newcastle Falcons finish eighth after 27-39 win over Bristol

Bristol Rugby 27-39 Newcastle Falcons, Ashton Gate
Scorecard

Newcastle Falcons came up with a five try performance as they secured a 27-39 bonus point victory against Bristol in the final round of the Aviva Premiership 2016/17 at Ashton Gate on Saturday.

Mark Wilson got Newcastle Falcons off the mark with a second minute try while scrum half Tane Takulua scored two penalties on either side of a touchdown from Vereniki Goneva as the visitors reached 18 points at the end of the first half.

Gavin Henson provided some respite with a penalty at the stroke of the half time to reduce the trail to 15 points.

Marcus Watson helped Newcastle Falcons extend the advantage at the start of the second half when he danced past the post in the 44th over minute and soon Goneva scored his second try in the game. However, Bristol replied back with tries from Jamal Ford Robinson and Jack O'Connell but they continued to trail by 15 points.

Chris Harris further stretched the lead to 22 points when he strolled past the post in the 72nd minute and despite Jack Tovey and Mitch Eadie scoring tries for Bristol in the final five minutes, they succumbed to a 12 point defeat.

The result also meant Newcastle Falcons finished the season in the eighth position while Bristol face relegation after managing just three wins from 22 games.