Match Report: Newcastle Falcons 20-33 Cardiff Blues

Newcastle Falcons 20-33 Cardiff Blues, Kingston Park
Scorecard

A dominant second half performance saw Cardiff Blues hold off Newcastle Falcons 20-33 in the opening round of the European Challenge Cup at Kingston Park on Friday.

Jarrod Evans started the proceedings for the Blues with a 10th minute but the Falcons levelled the scores three minutes later with a three-pointer from Joel Hodgson.

The opening try of the game came in the 17th minute when Hallam Amos dived in the corner that Evans improved but once again the Blues levelled the scores with George Wacokecoke dotting down after Jamie Blamire burst through the home side's defence.

Evans with his maiden penalty goal in the 21st minute provided the visitors a slender three-point lead which was seized back by the Falcons before a combination of Alex Tait and Blamire set up Sam Stuart over the line at the stroke of half-time as the teams went into the break with a 17-13 scoreline.

The Welsh regional side impressed in the start of the second half as they score 13 unanswered points. While Evans kicked two penalties and a conversion, Amos gathered a high-kick to send Tomos Williams over the line that made the scoreline 17-26.

Hodgson with a penalty goal in the 75th minute reduced the gap down to six points but the Falcons' chances was hampered when Mark Wilson was sin-binned in the 77th minute for collapsing a maul that also resulted in a penalty try for the Blues as they completed a 13-point win.

Team line-up:

Newcastle Falcons: Tait; Wacokecoke, Lucock, Matavesi, Arscott; Hodgson, Stuart; Brocklebank, Blamire, Tampin, Barry, Montgomery, Farrar, Basham, Marshall.

Reserves: Maddison, Cooper, Ah You, Ransom, Wilson, Schreuder, Vuna, Connon.

Cardiff Blues: M Morgan; Millard, Smith, Thomas, Amos; Evans, T Williams; Thyer, Dacey, D Lewis, Davies, Hill, Lewis-Hughes, Turnbull, Moore.

Reserves: E Lewis, Carré, Andrews, Murphy, Bradley, L Williams, Llewellyn, Grady,