Endeavour satisfies Richards but work remains to be done
Dean Richards was satisfied with the endeavour of his Newcastle Falcons troops during Friday’s 13-9 defeat in Brive, but knows they need to be more ruthless in finishing off their try-scoring chances.
Three penalties from the boot of Tom Catterick earned the visitors a losing bonus point in the European Challenge Cup opener, with the director of rugby saying: “It is a little frustrating from the players’ perspective because they put everything into it, created all the opportunities and just didn’t quite finish it off.”
“Entering into the game the boys said they were going to give it their all, and they did do. They held nothing back and, to be fair to them, we should have won. It was there for the taking.”
“If for a couple of stray passes the result should have been ours, but that’s life, unfortunately. We will put it behind us and win the next game – simple as that.”
Up against a Brive side who have taken some notable scalps in the French league this season at the Stade Amédée-Domenech, the game was, as predicted, a tight affair with one score the difference.
Richards said: “Brive are a side placed fifth in the Top 14 having won five games out of eight, so they are a quality outfit. But the youngsters came here and did a fantastic job for us. We didn’t quite finish off what we came to achieve, but that will happen next week.”
“The space was closed down immediately by Brive’s backs, and unfortunately that is just the way the game is these days.”
“Their defence wasn’t too bad but in that second half we still had two clear-cut opportunities which we didn’t take. We created more still and we just need to convert those opportunities when they come to us.”
Round two of the European Rugby Challenge Cup sees the Falcons take on Russian side Enisei STM at Kingston Park on Sunday November 22nd (KO 3pm)
Tickets for the match are on sale now priced at £10 for adults and £5 for Under 16s in all areas.
Call 0871 2266060 [click here][1] or visit the Kingston Park box office to book yours.
[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/details/event.aspx?itemref=2855
