Richards accuses Parton of dive as Falcons are floored
LONDON IRISH 31 NEWCASTLE 22
NEWCASTLE director of rugby Dean Richards hit out after his Falcons side blew their chance to go second in the Premiership.
Richards accused London Irish’s Tom Parton of diving in an incident which led to his full-back Tom Penny being sin-binned.
He said: “When their guy took the dive on the yellow card we didn’t re-adjust to that well.
“The question has to be asked why there wasn’t an HIA with the way he was rolling on the floor. I’m sure PRL will question why there wasn’t.”
Exiles director of rugby Declan Kidney defended Parton.
“If someone is alluding to our player feigning injury I would be upset with that,” he said. The home side raced into a 14-0 lead with Agustin Creevy and James Stokes scoring early tries.
Ben Stevenson redcued the deficit with a try just before half-time.
Then came the yellow card controversy, stalling Newcastle’s momentum and allowing Irish to add a third try through Curtis Rona.
Sam Stuart and Gary Graham levelled the try count as Falcons refused to go quietly but it was too little too late and Motu Matu’u sealed Irish’s second win of the league campaign two minutes from time.