Cipriani, Gopperth helps Wasps to a close 30-34 win over Newcastle Falcons

Newcastle Falcons 30-34 Wasps, Kingston Park
Scorecard

Danny Cipriani and Jimmy Gopperth shared 24 points between them as Wasps managed to overcome a stiff challenge from Newcastle Falcons with a 30-34 victory in the Aviva Premiership encounter at Kingston Park on Friday.

It was total domination from Newcastle Falcons in the first five minutes as scrum-half Tane Takulua and wing Marcus Watson crossed over with fly-half Joel Hodgson converting the second try to take the home team to 12-0 lead.

However, the Falcons could not hold on to the lead as Cipriani and wing Christian Wade replied back with tries in the 20th and 22nd minute respectively with the former Sale Sharks fly-half adding the extras to take Wasps to a slender two-point lead.

Prop Rob Vickers restored the lead for Falcons when he went past the line in the 26th minute while Hodgson scored a conversion and a penalty to stretch the gap to eight points but Thomas Young made his 50th appearance a memorable one with his try at stroke of the half-time as Wasps ended the first half trailing by just one point.

Replacement Gopperth took over the kicking duties in the second half and he straightaway created an impact in the 45th minute when he scored a converted try.

The six-point lead for Wasps remained intact when both Hodgson and Gopperth exchanged penalties after which Dai Young's men were reduced to 14-men temporarily when wing Josh Bassett was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on in the 56th minute.

Newcastle Falcons could not quiet capitalise on the advantage but Wasps centre Elliot Daly further stretched the lead to nine points with a penalty in the 64th minute.

Wasps suffered their second yellow card in the game when Guy Thompson was sent-off in the 75th minute but flanker Mark Wilson strolled past the post in the closing stage to secure a double-bonus losing point for Newcastle Falcons.

The four-point win has taken Wasps to the top of the table while Falcons are placed at seventh.

Wasps rugby director Young credited Newcastle Falcons for their spirited show on Friday.

"Coming here is never easy. We expected a real tough game and we got one. It was always going to be a test for us. But what we showed in abundance was character and commitment.

"It was far from an ideal start for us. We've got to give Newcastle credit. They were really clinical. But sometimes it's better if it's in the first couple of minutes rather than 20 minutes in.

"I was really pleased at how we dug ourselves back into it. I was pleased that the boys didn't panic. Sometimes we lacked a little bit of brainpower.When we went six points up we were trying offloads and giving away silly penalties when there was no need to.

"We gave Newcastle a lot of momentum to come back at us. With eight minutes to go that game was still up in the air. Bu we go away with five points. We've got to be happy with that."