Report by Thomas Gibson and Mitchell Francis
With just 3 points separating the sides prior to kick off, both teams new a win would be vital in the pursuit for premiership survival.
With both sides languishing at the bottom of the table with a shared total of only 3 wins all season, Newcastle were able to stay strong defensively and take another step to premiership safety.
Leeds had Lee Blackett ruled out of the game due to injury, so Peter Wackett earned himself a start. Also Australian Fly Half Lachlan Mackay made a return after missing the last 2 league games. Leeds also missed hooker Steve Thompson and Hendrie Fourie due to international commitments.
Newcastle started with Jeremy Manning at full-back, with Alex Tait moving to the wing in replace of the injured South African Bobo. Kieren Brookes came into the front row in the place of Scotland international Euan Murray.
First Half
After a promising start from Leeds, they were penalised and Newcastle 10 Jimmy Gopperth was able to find touch. Following the line out, some smart offloading allowed for Ally Hogg to cross the line, with the try confirmed by the video referee.
Gopperth couldn't convert and the score stood at 0-5.
The Newcastle scrum was evidently too strong for the Leeds pack as after 37 minutes the visitors were awarded a penalty for a failing scrum. Gopperth slipped on contact with the ball but it continued to sail through the posts to increase their lead to 0-8.
On the 40th minute Newcastle were awarded another penalty in kicking range for a possibly accidental offside. Gopperth's effort proved successful and the score grew to 0-11.
Second Half
The Falcon's scrum continued to dominate into the second half when again Gopperth converted a penalty from Leeds pulling the scrum down, making the score a comfortable 0-14.
Leeds looked to have a promising attack when yet another handling error flustered their chances. High amounts of errors and a strong Newcastle defence prevented Leeds from penetrating the line.
Again a weak Leeds scrum awarded another kickable penalty to Newcastle, and Gopperth convincingly made the score 0-17.
After a string of turnovers and promising individual runs, Leeds had their best chance of the game for a try as a smart run from Myall ended in a sin bin for Newcastle's Thompson after entering the rook from the wrong side.
Newcastle were still able to boss the scrum with only 7 men, as they forced the Leeds pack further along the blindside, resulting in sideways running from the backs and an easy 3 v 3 defence for the Falcons.
Leeds continued to dominate possession of the ball, but so many handling errors and faults in the offload meant they couldn't quite capitalise. But on the 68th minute, they were awarded a penalty and chose to kick for touch. A strong maul from the resulting line out allowed for hooker Scott Freer to get over the line and the video referee confirmed the try. Jarvis couldn't convert and the score became 5-17.
But just as the Leeds comeback began to progress, a Manning try in the corner confirmed the win for Newcastle. The score remained 5-22 as Gopperth couldn't convert from the angle.
Full Time
Too many mistakes from Leeds cost them massively, and in combination with a strong Newcastle defence, the away sides win proved deserved.
Man of the Match James Hudson for his influence in the Falcons set piece plays.
Leeds Carnegie
Tries - Freer
Penalties -
Conversions -
Newcastle Falcons
Tries “ Hogg, Manning
Penalties “ Gopperth, 4.
Conversions -
Thoughts
The home side looked promising at times, but a lack of pace and execution of simple skills meant they weren't able to convert possession into points. Newcastle bossed the game in open play and at set pieces, in particular the scrum which proved to be virtually impossible to contain for the Leeds defence.
Leeds are in a very dangerous position as they stay stuck at the bottom 7 points from safety. Newcastle move to 5 points behind Sale Sharks, with a game in hand.
