We’re close to letting rip now warns Deano
NEWCASTLE bounced back from defeat at Saracens to do a Premiership double over Bath for the first time in 20 years.
Falcons gained a narrow 33-32 win at The Rec earlier in the season but this win at Kingston Park was far more comprehensive as they racked up a bonus point victory against a lacklustre Bath.
Dean Richards was pleased with the win which moved Falcons up into the top six and a realistic shot at the top four – but said his players felt they had underperformed.
The director of rugby added: “We’re delighted with the win but the boys are a bit upset they didn’t get out of second gear consistently. They are upset about the two soft tries given what they aspire to.
“However, we did get the five point bonus and did the double over Bath for the first time in 20 years. At times we looked exceptionally good and we’re close to letting rip and turning in the performance we want.”
Newcastle haven’t lost at home since the end of November and are chasing their highest Premiership finish for several seasons.
No wonder they pulled in over 7,000 on a raw Geordie Friday night and the fans weren’t disappointed with a rip-roaring show.
Falcons had three excellent tries in the bag by half time and scored a cracker in the second half to wrap up the bonus and halt a brief Bath revival in its tracks.
This Newcastle side like to run the ball and that includes a mobile pack and a front row that contributes pulverising running and offloading.
As early as the fourth minute, Scotland prop Jon Welsh’s offload released Josh Matavesi who sidestepped through and sent Sinoti Sinoti flying in at the corner. Toby Flood converted expertly for 7-0.
Freddie Burns missed a straightforward penalty and Newcastle should have scored when Alex Tait shot through, but Michael Young’s final pass inside to Sinoti was an awful effort and the winger knocked on.
Flood will not have an easier run in than he did for the Falcons second, Ben Tapuai brushed aside as Flood cruised in from 25m and then converted.
Bath had little to offer other than giving away penalties – eight in the first period – and turnovers, 21 in all – and when Aled Brew stupidly dropped a knee on Young’s back as the No.9 dived on a loose ball, he was lucky it was only a yellow card in the 34th minute.
Newcastle promptly banged the penalty into the corner and made Brew and Bath pay dearly, driving the lineout to take Kyle Cooper over. Flood converted from the touchline for 21-0.
Bath’s chance to get themselves back in the game came just after the break with a spectacular try starting with Burn’s long floated pass. That was followed by a dream offload from James Wilson and an incredible flying finish from winger Cooper Vuna which needed a TMO decision – a correct one.
Burns converted but then left the field with a wrist injury as Falcons struck back with an equally pulsating try from Niki Goneva who crashed through three tacklers from 30m for the bonus point.
Flood added a penalty after a mesmerising cameo from France centre Maxime Mermoz, before Bath scored a late pushover try by Anthony Perenise.