Newcastle Falcons rounded off their Amlin Challenge Cup campaign with defeat to Lyon at a rain-sodden Matmut Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Falcons had slim hopes of qualification to the quarter-finals before the game, with the northeasterners needing Petrarca Padova to pull off the unthinkable at home to Toulon whilst also needing victory themselves in France to go through.
That proved not to be the case as Toulon ran riot at the Stadio Plebiscito with a thumping 50-6 triumph over the Italians to go through as Pool 2 winners.
A string of injuries and limited available players registered for the competition was always going to make it a difficult task for the Kingston Park unit.
New director of rugby Gary Gold and defence coach Mike Ford watched on from the stands in France alongside Paul Moriarty who took charge of affairs.
Newcastle led 10-7 at the break after recovering from the early set-back of conceding a break-away try.
On 15 minutes Lyon wing Mosesse Ratuvou exploited a hole in the Falcons defensive line to cross the whitewash in style.
Ratuvou took a flat pass and sprinted through the middle before fending off covering defender Jimmy Gopperth on his way to the line.
Welshman Lee Thomas converted for the hosts to send his side 7-0 ahead.
However, the Falcons rallied together and showed great spirit to claw themselves level courtesy of a Pennycook touchdown.
Mark Wilson who was having a sublime game at No.8 was instrumental in the build-up to the try. The South Cumbrian set the platform with a fine break and from the ruck Pennycook sprinted 25-metres to the line.
Gopperth made no mistake from in front of goal and the Falcons were level at seven a piece.
The Falcons continued to press for further openings with Joel Hodgson’s superb kicking game coming to the fore.
With barely seconds left of the first stanza Gopperth edged his side in front with a simple penalty before the Kiwi repeated the feat early in the second-half to give the Falcons a 13-7 advantage.
But that would be the last of the scoring from the men from the north as the French outfit assumed control with two tries in the last 20 minutes.
The Falcons were reduced to 14 men when experienced back-rower Ally Hogg was sin-binned for an infringement in the scrum.
Lyon were soon awarded a penalty try for their efforts in the scrum with Romain Loursac adding the conversion from in front.
And in the last 10 minutes centre Laurent Tranier crashed over to rubber stamp a 21-13 victory for Lyon following some patient build-up play.
Toulon go through to the knock-out stages as Pool 2 winners with the Falcons now able to concentrate on the more serious business of the Aviva Premiership.
The Falcons have enjoyed a decent run in this year’s competition which included the memorable 6-3 win against Toulon.
Gary Gold’s men host Sale Sharks in the LV= Cup next week for what will be the South African’s first official game in charge.
Tickets are available for the game by calling the Falcons Ticket Hotline on 0871 226 6060 or click here to purchase online.
Lyon Rugby: Lespinas; Ratuvou, Thomas, Raffault, Fatafehi; Sadourny (capt), Du Bruyn; Tchougong Kamga, Testa, Guillamon, Njewel, Dorier, Nzi, Gambetta, Bontinck.
Replacements: Miro, Roux, Toleafoa, Marchois, Tranier, Januarie, Tomamichel, Loursac.
Newcastle Falcons: J Gopperth (capt); Pasqualin, Eves, Fitzpatrick, Shortland; Hodgson, Pilgrim; Wells, Mayhew, Hall, Hogg, Swinson, Mayhew, Pennycook, Wilson.
Replacements: Graham, Fearn, Murray, Vickers, Welch, McGuigan, Shiells, Chudley.
Referee: Carlo Damasco (Italy).
