I have no explanation for poor performance – Skivington
GEORGE Skivington was left puzzled by the below-par performance of his Gloucester Rugby side as Newcastle claimed victory at Kingsholm.
The Falcons stunned the hosts by compiling a 24-0 lead with less than 35 minutes on the clock, but a strong second-half rally from Gloucester saw the visitors pick up four yellow cards in the last 25 minutes.
Somehow Newcastle were able to hang on to their narrow lead for the last eight minutes despite having only 13 men on the field. Adam
Radwan, George McGuigan and Callum Chick scored their tries. Brett Connon converted all three and added two penalties.
Tom Seabrook and replacement Cam Jordan scored for Gloucester, George Barton converting both, in addition to a penalty try.
“We were clunky and looked as if we were playing in a pre-season friendly,” said Skivington. “We didn’t disrespect Newcastle, but in that first half they did a job on our breakdown.
“We were inconsistent and didn’t execute correctly at key moments.
“I have no explanation as to why we started so badly and I have 20 different things in my mind as to why we weren’t able to score in the final minutes. Despite (previously) being bottom (of the table) Newcastle are a very good side and it just shows how strong a league the Premiership is.”
GLOUCESTER RUGBY .... 21 NEWCASTLE FALCONS . 27
Gloucester: Moyle; Seabrook, Reeves, Twelvetrees, Morris; Evans, Chapman; Elrington, Socino, Balmain, Clarke, Davidson, Reid, Ludlow, Ackermann. Replacements: Hearle for Reeves (68), Barton for Evans (30), Meehan for Chapman (60), Singleton for Elrington (41), Knight for Socino (41), Jordan for Davidson (50). Not Used: Gotovtsev, Clement.
Scorers – Tries: Seabrook, Jordan, Barton. Cons: Barton 2.
Newcastle: Obatoyinbo; Radwan, Stevenson, Penny, Earle; Connon, Young; Mulipola, McGuigan, Palframan, Merrick, De Chaves, Lockwood, Pepper, Chick. Replacements: Stuart for Young (71), Brocklebank for Mulipola (50), Tampin for Palframan (58), Robinson for Lockwood (50), Blamire for Pepper (68). Not Used: Peters, Schoeman, Greenlaw.
Scorers – Tries: Radwan, Chick, McGuigan. Cons: Connon 3. Pens: Connon 2.
Sin Bin: McGuigan (56), Robinson (61), Chick (72), Penny (73). Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (RFU).