Gloucester Rugby edge out Newcastle Falcons 17-20 at Kingston Park

Newcastle Falcons 17-20 Gloucester Rugby, Kingston Park
Scorecard

Gloucester Rugby have consolidated their third position in the ongoing season of the Gallagher Premiership after edging out Newcastle Falcons 17-20 at Kingston Park on Sunday.

The defeat meant the Falcons continue to languish at the bottom of the table after losing their seventh game from 10 matches.

The opening 17 minutes of the game saw Billy Twelvetrees and Tane Takulua exchange penalties before the Falcons scrum-half kicked another three-pointer to provide the hosts a slender lead.

Charlie Sharples reached another milestone for the Cherry and Whites as he made his 250th appearance for the club. As the half time was approaching Ed Slater dived from close range followed by a conversion from Twelvetrees as the teams headed into the break with a 6-10 margin.

Newcastle were quick to get off the block with Vereniki Goneva dotting down in the 42nd minute to take a one-point lead. Takulua missed out on the conversion but kicked back to back penalties to stretch the lead to seven points but the teams had the scores levelled 17-17 with Ben Morgan's 62nd minute try that was improved by Twelvetrees.

As the game headed into the final 10 minutes all three results were possible and it was Twelvetrees who kicked the decisive penalty in the 75th minute after Newcastle Falcons were penalised for a breakdown infringement to complete a 17-20 victory for Gloucester.

Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: “I felt we could and should have come away with something but you’ve got to take your hat off to Gloucester, who are a good side.

“It was one of those games which could have gone either way, but unfortunately went to them by three points.

“On the whole we didn’t help ourselves by getting on the wrong side of the referee, and that was purely down to us not adapting to how he was officiating.

“As a consequence that cost us a couple of penalties, which ultimately proved the difference.

“There was a huge amount of endeavour from the boys, and you can’t question that. They played their hearts out and they’re very disappointed in the changing room, but we’ll put it right at Bristol next weekend.”