Six-try Newcastle Falcons overcome Harlequins challenge

Newcastle Falcons 38 - 32 Harlequins, Kingston Park
Scorecard

Newcastle Falcons scored three tries apiece in either half was they managed to resist Harlequins fightback in the second half to register a 38-32 victory in their Aviva Premiership clash at Kingston Park on Sunday.

After fly-half Tim Swiel got Harlequins off the mark with the penalty, both teams exchanged tries following which the visitors had a slender one-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Centre Juan Pablo Socino and flanker Mark Wilson gave Newcastle Falcons clear advantage heading into the half time with tries in 28th and 31st minute while fly-half Joel Hodgson converted both to take a 13-point lead at the end of the first half.

The Falcons domination continued in the second half with Socino crossing over for the second time in the game in 44th minute to stretch the lead to 18 points.

Scrum-half Karl Dickson brought the Quins back into contention with back-to-back tries in the 51st and 59th minute with replacement Ruaridh Jackson adding the extras. The game was set for a close finish with the gap coming down to just four points by the 60th minute.

Tries from Evan Olmstead and Marcus Watson secured the win for Newcastle Falcons while Harlequins grabbed the bonus point with a late try from Tim Visser but succumbed to a six-point defeat.

Newcastle Falcons have moved to seventh with the victory while Harlequins are positioned at sixth.

Newcastle Falcons rugby director Dean Richards is glad to see the improvements made by the team despite missing on key players.

"The side's evolving.

"When you look at who we've got out injured it probably gives you an idea of the strength in depth we've got within the squad now.

"The key people who have come in, like Niki Goneva and Evan Olmstead, are playing outstandingly well and Juan Pablo Socino is playing better than ever.

"I'm delighted with the six tries. There were some absolute pearlers in there."