Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Newcastle Falcons 14-38 Harlequins

Jack Kenningham produced a solid display at Kingston Park
©Juan Gasparini/JMP for Harlequins

Newcastle Falcons 14-38 Harlequins, Kingston Park

Harlequins began the year with a commanding Gallagher Premiership victory, defeating Newcastle Falcons 35-14 at Kingston Park.

Despite spirited efforts from the home side, the visitors’ clinical play secured their win in front of a season-high crowd.

The Londoners wasted no time asserting dominance as No.8 James Chisholm stormed through the Newcastle defense for a try within nine minutes. England fly-half Marcus Smith added the conversion, giving Harlequins an early 7-0 lead.

While Newcastle attempted to respond, early errors, including three kicks out on the full, hampered their progress. However, their defense held strong when Harlequins pushed for a second try, with Kiran McDonald stealing a crucial line-out to deny the visitors.

Newcastle found their rhythm in the second quarter, applying sustained pressure in Harlequins’ territory. Their persistence paid off on 33 minutes when Adam Radwan crossed in the right corner after a well-worked pick-and-go sequence. Brett Connon’s touchline conversion leveled the scores at 7-7.

However, Harlequins reclaimed the lead just before halftime. Smith, now playing at full-back, capitalized on a maul situation with a looping pass to score a converted try, giving the visitors a 14-7 advantage at the break.

Smith extended Harlequins’ lead early in the second half with a penalty after a late tackle. Newcastle pressed hard, utilizing their forwards to make gains, but turnovers at crucial moments thwarted their progress.

A TMO decision finally rewarded Newcastle in the 66th minute when Ben Redshaw dived onto Ben Stevenson’s kick, which ricocheted off the corner post. Connon’s conversion narrowed the deficit to three points.

Harlequins responded swiftly, with Jack Walker scoring from a driving maul to widen the gap once more.

Late tries from Oscar Beard and Sam Riley cemented a decisive victory for the visitors, leaving the Newcastle crowd disappointed despite their team’s valiant effort.

Team line up:

Newcastle: Redshaw, Radwan, Hearle, Doherty, Stevenson, Connon, Stuart, McCallum, Blamire, Palframan, de Chaves, McDonald, Lockwood, Gordon, Chick (c).

Reserves: Fletcher, Rewcastle, Hancock, Hawkins, van der Walt, Pepper, Brown, Spencer.

Harlequins: David, Isgro, Beard, Northmore, Murley (c), Smith, Porter, Baxter, Walker, Lamositele, Launchbury, Lamb, Kenningham, Evans, Chisholm.

Reserves: Riley, Jones, Lewis, Herbst, Dombrandt, Friday, Evans, Waghorn.

Widely regarded as the most competitive rugby union league in the world...it can only be the Gallagher Premiership.

The division is becoming more and more exciting as each year passes by so who will be lifting silverware at Twickenham in May?

At Talking Rugby Union, we aim to provide match reports and news together with our specially commissioned features and interviews.