We deserved to be beaten, says Richards

DIRECTOR of rugby Dean Richards credited Worcester Warriors for Saturday’s deserved Aviva Premiership victory at Sixways while highlighting the inaccuracy of his Newcastle Falcons side.

Richards’ men were defeated 27-13 despite having led 13-6 at half-time.

Worcester scored 21 unanswered second-half points to overcome the Falcons, Scotland international flanker David Denton touching down twice and prop Nick Schonert adding a try during an eight-minute period.

It means Newcastle drop outside the top four with three games left.

They host Sale Sharks on Friday, then visit Leicester before entertaining Wasps.

Richards said: “Fair dues to Worcester, I thought they were outstanding on the day.

“We had a lot of inaccuracies when we had the ball in our hands which meant we were defending a lot of the time.

“When you are defending for so long in a game against quality players like Jackson Willison, Nick Schonert, Ben Te’o, Dave Denton and the like it is going to tell.

“Ultimately that is what happenedand had we had that accuracy with ball in hand then it might have been another story.

“I thought Worcester thoroughly deserved their win and they are a good side with good players.

“I don’t think their league position reflects the ability within their group but in terms of this game they were worth their win.”

Making a slow start before leading at the interval, the Falcons conceded those three second-half tries without response.

Richards added: “We did not have a look-in for the first 20 minutes, again through our own inaccuracies when we had the ball.

“Worcester are not an easy side to play against.

“They make life difficult for you and the frustrating thing from their side is they just have not turned up for certain games. When they do turn up, like today, they are a real force to be reckoned with.”

Wing Vereniki Goneva’s first-half try put Newcastle in charge, while fly-half Toby Flood added two penalties and a conversion - yet Worcester fought back well from a seven-point deficit.

Full-back Chris Pennell booted two early penalties before Worcester turned the game on its head with a scoring burst which moved Newcastle down to fifth behind Exeter, Saracens, Leicester and Wasps.