Match Report
GLOUCESTER - 0
Newcastle Falcons - 13
The Falcons boss watched on as tries from Mike Tindall and Rob Cook coupled with the boot of Freddie Burns secured a 20-3 victory for the Cherry and Whites.
A serious incident on the M42 forced the Falcons media team to turn back home 40 miles away from the ground, but speaking on the phone post-match Richards said: “We had a lot of possession but just weren’t clinical enough with ball in hand, and that was frustrating for us.
“We got into some good attacking positions but there was an inability to finish off our chances, and we will have to improve on this.
“Ultimately I thought it was a big learning curve for our youngsters in the squad – the likes of Dom Barrow and George McGuigan did well in my opinion.”
Gloucester began the contest in emphatic fashion, surging into the lead within the first ten minutes with Cook crossing for a try. Tindall’s bullocking run put the Falcons on the back-foot, before Ryan Mills took the initiative to feed Cook for the score. Burns converted for a 7-0 lead.
Rory Clegg reduced the deficit for the visitors with a penalty midway through the first period after concerted pressure on Gloucester’s try line.
The West Countrymen were dealt a double blow shortly after when Mills was stretchered off just minutes before James Simpson-Daniel was helped off by the medics. Less than ten minutes before the break England international Burns extended Gloucester’s advantage to 10-3 with a well-taken penalty.
10-3 down at the break, the northeasterners will have fancied their chances, but Gloucester had other ideas, and on the hour mark Tindall bagged himself a try. Charging down Mike Blair’s box kick, Tindall pounced on the loose-ball to touchdown with Burns adding the extras.
Newcastle were forced to defend for the remainder of the game as Gloucester’s relentless attacking spree continued, but to their credit Richards’ men held firm to end the match 20-3 in favour of the Kingsholm outfit.
