Hogg grabs last-gasp glory

MAYBE, just maybe, these Falcons can truly soar to the heights. Ally Hogg’s try with the clock long dead, and Sonatane Takulua’s conversion, sealed their first win at Welford Road since the season they last won the league in 1997-98. Newcastle were no one’s pick to make the semi-finals in September, but with this win it will take some seismic activity elsewhere to stop them booking a play-off place. Dean Richards, the Falcons director of rugby, played his final match for the Tigers the last time Newcastle won here. Now he is leading a Geordie revolution. It was 13-13 until the 54th minute after a sensational early score by Niki Goneva was immediately cancelled out by Jonny May’s try, with George Ford and a combination of Joel Hodgson and Juan Pablo Socino kicking goals. Then Leicester power started to tell and the Tigers went about mauling Newcastle to death. Mike Fitzgerald scored from close range and then Ford knocked over another penalty to send Leicester 10 clear with 19 minutes left. But Goneva was soon at his fly-swatting job again. He pulverised Ford to score his 13th of the league season, putting him joint-top with Josh Adams of Worcester. Socino missed the conversion but with the clock running out, Newcastle had a last shot at glory. Tigers No 8 Sione Kalamafoni was sent to the bin and Socino kicked for the corner. Countless phases later, a pile of grey shirts went over the line. There were endless replays. Had Hogg proved the hero? He had. All Takulua had to do was kick the conversion for an incredible win. He did.