Richards so frustrated with a draw

DEAN RICHARDS was left to bemoan a lack of accuracy after his Newcastle Falcons side squandered a late lead to draw 24-24 with Worcester in the Gallagher Premiership.

In the swirling snow at Kingston Park, the Falcons looked to have sealed the game through Kyle Cooper’s 72nd-minute try - only to be pegged back immediately when Worcester’s Billy Searle scored.

In a match delayed by a day due to Storm Arwen, the hosts botched a number of opportunities in the Warriors’ half and collapsed defensively late on, much to Richards’ frustration.

He said: “We probably should have taken five points.

“Full credit to Worcester, when they had chances, they took them and we did not take ours.

“It was always going to be a game of two halves with the wind and the weather being as it was.

“Having the wind behind us in the first half, you have got to capitalise and we did not.

“We went into the break two points up at half-time when we probably should have gone in

15 to 20 points up, which we did not do.

“We will look at our defensive frailties and why we conceded the easy tries that we did but at the same time we scored four tries and probably should have scored another four, which is the frustrating thing.

“The first half is about where you play your rugby and the second is about taking your opportunities and we probably did not do either particularly well.”

Richards’ reaction stood in stark contrast to Worcester head coach Jonathan Thomas, who was elated by his side’s effort following an adverse 24 hours.

While Cooper’s late score could have sealed the contest, Worcester fought back through Searle’s try, which was masterfully converted by Fin Smith to secure them three points on the road, leaving Thomas delighted.

He said: “The biggest thing I spoke to the players about before the game was our mindset, that warrior mindset, because there have been so many things thrown at us in the last three days.

“I am really proud of the character of the players and there were a lot of challenges we had during the game.”