Storm Malik can’t blow Gloucester off course

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER

Newcastle ……..22pts

Tries: Radwan 9, Carreras 52, Maddison 79

Conversions: Conon 54, Haydon-Wood 80

Penalties: Connon 3

Gloucester ……..32pts

Tries: Rapava-Ruskin 6, Carreras 12, Ludlow 31, Thorley 58, Rees Zammit 62

Conversions: Hastings 12; Evans 63

Penalties: Hastings 24

IMPRESSIVE Gloucester, with their wind in their sails right now, refused to be blown off course against Falcons and headed for home very late last night with their fifth away win of the season. This side enjoys being on the road.

They bettered Newcastle in every department and then, just to rub salt into wounds, unleashed Louis Ree-Zammit for an eye popping cameo off the bench midway through the second half.

Storm Malik having done its worst, the game kicked off four hours late but a lively first half spoke of plenty of pent-up energy being expended.

Newcastle, playing into the elements, opened up with a penalty before Gloucester went to route one up front and the impressive Val Rapava- Ruskin who enjoyed a storming game, barged his way over for an unconverted try, Adam Hastings’ attempt deviating wildly in the wind.

The Falcons hit back with a classic Adam Radwan try which owed everything to his blazing pace and quick feet after Gloucester spilled a box kick 45 metre out and the ball was quickly transferred to the speed machine on the wing. Very impressive.

And another should have followed moments later when former Doncaster Knights centre Pete Lucock sprinted in under the posts after an excellent lineout set piece attack but, alas, Mateo Carreras had unnecessarily taken out Billy Twelvetrees. No try, much booing from the Falcons faithful but the correct decision.

It was costly as Gloucester, in confident mood after their big win over in Perpignan last week, scored a second try through Santiago Carreras – no relative – although there was a hint of illegal blocking by Rapava Ruskin ahead of Ruan Ackermann.

This time the score was allowed and after a penalty from Hastings, skipper Lewis Ludlow concluded an important burst of scoring when he ducked low to finish off another irresistible line out drive in which Rapava-Ruskin and Jordy Reid featured prominently.

On a tricky night, 20-8 seemed possibly a decisive half time lead even though it would be Gloucester’s turn to endure the strong, though gradually subsiding, wind.

Both sides struggled initially to get back in the groove after the break but then Falcons swooped with a cracking try for Carreras which had its origins in a tap-and-go penalty over the other side of the pitch and a huge right to left pass from Brett Connon which saw the Argentinian make the line comfortably. Connon increased the feelgood factor win an excellent conversion.

Game on except Gloucester were in determined mood with Rees Zammit making an immediate impression when he came on and then Twelvetrees and Careras working well to send Ollie Thorley barrelling to the line for a fine score.

It was show time, Rees Zammit was in the mood and everybody was on their feet when he fielded the ball on his 22, sped through two defenders, arced a little bit, considered his options and then dismissed Sam Stuart as if he didn’t exist. Nearly 80 yards of world class sumptuous brilliance.

The game was done but Newcastle kept plugging away and there was a late try for Charlie Maddison and, although there was time to restart, the Falcons were unable to raise another head of steam and challenge for a losing bonus.