Veteran Utility Saves Falcons
Veteran Fiji Airways Flying Fijians utility back Vereniki Goneva scored a try for Newcastle Falcons as they edged out London Irish 20-15 at the Premiership clash at Madejski Stadium on Saturday. Greig Tonks' boot had initially put London Irish three points up after he notched two penalties to Toby Flood's one, but two tries in three minutes from Falcons wing Alex Tait turned the contest on its head. The first courtesy of a charge down which allowed him to dot down and the second owing much to Juan Pablo Socino who fed the winger up courtesy of a cross field kick that allowed him to race over unopposed. Shortly before the interval Goneva was able to walk over the try line when a Newcastle driving maul had the Irish defence going backwards.
That was where the point scoring ended for the visitors, but fortunately for them the hosts could only muster a further two Tonks penalties. The boot of the fullback did earn London Irish a losing bonus point but it does little to help their cause.
MATAWALU ON FIRE
Glasgow with Fijian halfback Nikola Matawalu on the wing dominated possession and territory to run out comfortable 17-0 winners over Viliame Mata's Edinburgh in a PRO14 clash. This was all thanks to the boot of playmaker Finn Russell who kicked four penalties.
In a cagey first half, the only scoring action was a Russell penalty before the stadium had to be evacuated due to a fire alarm being set off.
And after a bizarre 20 minute delay in which supporters had to re-enter the stadium, play resumed with no further points scored before the referee called time on the first-half.
Russell extended the hosts' lead to 6-0 two minutes after the interval with a penalty goal. And 15 minutes later, the Glasgow playmaker made it a 9-0 lead with a further penalty.. - Planet Rugby