Quick double from Cooper fires Falcons into last four

NEWCASTLE were left to rue last week’s defeat to Bath after missing out on a home semi-final.

The Falcons knew they needed a bonus point win against the Cherry and Whites to clinch top spot in the pool – barring a mathematical miracle from the Tigers in today’s game at Wasps – and they did the business with a 3119 victory.

However it proved to be not quite enough with Exeter overhauling the Falcons’ pool try total to clinch a home semi, ironically, against Newcastle next weekend.

“I have mixed feelings,” said Falcons head coach David Walder. “We won the game and won well but it’s not enough. We gave ourselves a chance of finishing top and a home semi-final but we’re going to have an away semi.

“Nevertheless, it’s a great challenge for us next week and we’re looking forward to it.”

Gloucester, out of the running after Bath’s victory over Ospreys clinched their place in the semis, played their part in a highly-entertaining clash at Kingston Park.

The Falcons had that try bonus-point wrapped up just after half-time but, crucially, they could not break a well-organised Gloucester defence in the last half hour.

Gloucester scored after just eight minutes when Ben Morgan rumbled down the touchline and his inside pass put in Ben Vellacott.

It was then that man of the match Kyle Cooper stepped up. The Newcastle hooker grabbed two tries from close range drives in the space of ten minutes, both converted for 14-7. Cooper then smashed through the Gloucester midfield to set up Newcastle’s third try for skipper Mark Wilson.

However four minutes from the break, Gloucester made a spell of pressure count with a great penalty to the corner by Owen Williams and Gareth Evans was driven over. Williams converted for 21-14.

The bonus point try arrived quickly after half time with Vereniki Goneva and Josh Matavesi combining to put Alex Tait through. Hodgson converted before adding a penalty.

After that, the Falcons simply could not hang on to the ball and when Matt Scott screamed in for Gloucester’s third try with 15 minutes to go, Newcastle never looked like adding to their tally with Gloucester in the ascendancy and centre Josh Matavesi in the sin bin.