Match action
WITH Doncaster’s Championship campaign just a week away at Cornish Pirates, losing by seven tries to four in their last pre-season match was not the result the Castle Park club needed.
The Newcastle side contained only five players with experience of the Premiership and in centre Ben Stevenson, a law student at Durham University, who scored twice in the second half, the Falcons arguably possessed the outstanding individual of a game whose purpose was of far more importance to Doncaster.
Coach Clive Griffiths, whose team were level at 19-19 at half time, was bitterly upset at the second half performance in which Newcastle dominated proceedings and added another four tries to three scored earlier by winger Zach Kibirige, and forwards Connor Collett and Jamie Blamire.
“Some of our players have played themselves out of the team because of individual errors and decisions they made,” he said.
“On this showing Cornish Pirates will be favourites and I hope some of our boys rediscover themselves so that it’s alright on the night.
“It wasn’t the second half I wanted in readiness for Pirates. At times we were making embarrassing mistakes and decisions, so I’m grossly disappointed.
“Look, there were some good points. Steve McColl who played on the wing was impressive and flanker Morgan Eames took his two first half tries very well.
“Our league season hasn’t started yet and we’ve still got injuries to key players, like Will Owen and Josh Tyrell, and I hope Sale Sharks will let us have hooker Curtis Langdon otherwise we’ve only one hooker.
“To make matters worse, winger Paul Jarvis has injured a hamstring again which is a real blow.”
Griffiths’ squad were competitive in the first half with scores by Eames and centre Lloyd Hayes, but later Newcastle dictated the second period as Doncaster’s defence and handling errors stopped them making any progress.
In contrast, the Falcons’
were sharper and created several scoring opportunities, so in addition to Stevenson’s tries, Fijian No.8, Nemani Nagusa, a major threat, burst over as did full back Tom Arscott, another constant danger.
Newcastle’s academy manager and first team skills coach Mark Laycock was delighted with the performance.
“Stevenson was sharp, Collett got through a lot of hard work and flanker Tom Marshall’s decision making was outstanding.
“The character of the boys showed on the pitch and I thought Nagusa, in his first outing for us, made a real impact.
“Some of our guys are still finding their feet as they haven’t played for a while and some of Doncaster’s tries were our fault, but across the whole 80 minutes we felt in control and I am really pleased with the effort they put in and the energy they showed.
“Doncaster were physical up front and I was impressed with their set piece.”
Laycock can also be highly satisfied with the all-round game of fly-half Brett Connon, not least his accurate goal kicking as he converted six of the Falcons’ seven tries.