Falcons show spirit but Quins do enough

■ By BRENDAN GALLAGHER

Harlequins ………………….. 28pts

Tries: Jibulu 15, Evans 24, Halfpenny 31, Porter 41

Conversions: Smith 16, 25, 32, 42

Newcastle Falcons ……..14pts

Tries: Hawkins 3, Redshaw 63

Conversions: Grayson 4, 64

HARLEQUINS duly secured the bonus point win that most pundits expected but Newcastle will have been far from downhearted as they made the long coach journey home.

There were plenty of jinks and breaks and flashing attacking intent from Quins but ultimately the home side rather flattered to deceive against a Falcons side that put in a full 80 minute defensive shift and had their own moments of quality in attack.

If Steve Diamond’s squad can kick on and stay relatively injury free – they are operating with the Premiership‘s smallest squad having insufficient funds to spend anywhere near the salary cap – they will prove a much tougher nut to crack than some are anticipating.

Ireland‘s Sammy Arnold, a hugely combative and physical centre, is their rallying point and if Newcastle take their cue from him, they won’t go far wrong.

As for Quins, despite some eye-catching performances, they need to sharpen up considerably as they enter a challenging early phase of the competition with successive matches against Northampton, Saracens and Bath.

Marcus Smith was making his first start in any game since England‘s summer tour and took a while to blow off the rust while injuries to the perennially unlucky Luke Northmore and the impressive Cassius Cleaves came at bad times and were disruptive.

Newcastle made their intentions known from the off with a remarkable e multi-phase passage of play that was both patient and dynamic as they sought an opening before e John Hawkins eventually got over under the posts. It was a strong hint at the way forward for Falcons and that passage should be replayed on a loop at training this week.

Quins were stung into action and their opening try came from their big prospect at hooker Nathan Jibulu who worked a slick front of the line play with man-of-the-match Will Evans to storm over. We know all about Evans’ tackling and jackalling ability but the way he made an extra yard of space for Jibulu here was very clever.

Soon afterwards Evans himself scored as Quins attacked from another lineout and it looked ominous for the visitors when Cleaves embarked on a startling outside break to create a try for veteran Wales and Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny who looks in very good nick indeed.

A drubbing seemed indicated but from that point onwards it was even-stevens all the way to the final whistle.

Quins did explode out of the blocks after the break with a beautifully conceived try for Will Porter after great approach work from Cleaves and replacement Oscar Beard but thereafter Falcons really dug deep, even when they encountered card trouble. Elliott Obatoyinbo saw yellow for contact to the head on Halfpenny who was not however required to go for an HIA. Rugby can be baffling sometimes.

As the half continued Falcons got stronger and stronger, their bench all going well, and their second try for England U20 back three player Ben Redshaw was well conceived and executed.

Ethan Grayson, another member of the Grayson rugby dynasty and a late call up for the injured Brett Connon, converted on a generally impressive Premiership debut for Falcons’ new signing.