DEAN RICHARDS POST-MATCH REACTION
The Falcons were defeated 17-12 at a windswept Kingston Park, and despite snatching a losing bonus-point thanks to a last ditch try from skipper Will Welch, Richards insists it could have been so much more.
“If we played in the first half like we did in the second half it might have been a different story altogether,” said the Newcastle chief.
“But understanding the conditions, where to play and how to get there, we didn’t quite understand it in the first half,” he added.
Noah Cato’s touchdown on the hour mark, coupled with Welch’s late show were the Falcons’ first tries in six-and-a-half-hours of Aviva Premiership rugby.
“The tries are fine but I would have sooner have won the game and had the understanding of how to play and how to score points and stop them from scoring,” said Richards.
He added: “We conceded a stupid try in the first half which probably killed us off but credit to the boys, they showed great character in the second half and played some great rugby and we got the two tries and the bonus point.
“But to be honest I’m very disappointed with the first half. Unfortunately we didn’t turn in the performance we wanted to in the first half but we showed what we can do in the second.”
We will hear more from Richards tomorrow as he looks ahead to this Friday’s Premiership clash with Sale Sharks at Kingston Park (kick-off 7.45pm). Tickets are still available for the game by calling the Falcons Ticket Hotline on 0871 226 6060 or [click here][1] to purchase online.
[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/details/event.aspx?itemref=2535
