Welch try is a bonus on a top night for Falcons
NEWCASTLE Falcons moved to the top of the Premiership table for the first time in 13 years thanks to a 29-17 bonus-point victory over London Irish.
A seven-minute three-try blitz courtesy of Juan Pablo Socino and Vereniki Goneva blew away the Exiles in the first half.
Will Welch added the fourth try on the hour mark to secure the bonus point which moved the Falcons to the top of the league before a late fightback from the visitors.
A night which started in silence ended with a roar of elation from the 7,650 crowd.
Prior to kick-off, there was a minute’s silence in honour of former Newcastle Sporting Club chairman Freddy Shepherd.
It was under Shepherd and Sir John Hall the club experienced their halcyon days 20 seasons ago, winning their only league title.
Even the most optimistic fan would accept the odds of repeating that this season are minimal.
Yet Dean Richards’ slow revolution is turning his team from a Premiership punching bag into one with genuine aspirations of reaching Europe this season.
Irish took the lead through the boot of full-back Tommy Bell after three minutes – and it seemed they were intent on ensuring Kingston Park stayed silent.
The hosts struggled to get their hands on the ball much within the first 15 minutes – but once they did get off the mark the points flowed freely.
A high tackle on Santiago Socino gave Takulua his first opportunity of the night from the kicking tee.
The Tongan slotted the penalty through and that seemed to stir something within the hosts.
Fast forward 11 minutes and the Falcons were 21 points ahead thanks to two moments of explosiveness and a bruising display of power and persistence.
First it was Argentinian centre Socino who blasted through a gaping hole in the visiting defence to touch down easily between the posts on 20 minutes.
After good work from the Tongan thunder-and-lightning combination of Nili Latu and Takulua two minutes later, Goneva powered over in the left corner.
The Fijian had his second try four minutes later, finishing off a punishing drive, Takulua slotting through his third conversion of the night.
Irish looked to pressure stem the tide and reclaim a semblance of control on the game but the Falcons held firm to maintain their lead at half-time. Takulua missed an early penalty after the break but the Falcons remained in the ascendancy, Goneva’s speed causing real problems.
A cute little grubber kick from Craig Willis almost freed DTH van der Merwe for the fourth try but it drifted agonisingly away from the Canadian’s grasp.
When Alex Lewington’s burst saw him almost the length of the field, it was Goneva who was there to speed back and put in a try-saving tackle.
On the hour mark, Newcastle secured the bonus point their control probably deserved as captain Welch touched down in the corner after a Falcons lineout.
The Exiles were intent on scoring a few tries of their own.
Within 10 minutes, substitutes Conor Gilsenan and Tom Fowlie both broke through the Newcastle defence to cut the deficit to 29-17.
However, the Falcons stood firm, Goneva making another try-saving tackle to ensure the hosts ended the night top of the table.
With wins against Worcester, Sale, Bath and now Irish, the Falcons have put themselves in a fabulous position early in the season.
A sterner test of their credentials awaits next time out, however, when they face Exeter at Sandy Park next Saturday.