RICHARDS LAUDS LOCAL TALENT
Notching up their second win of the campaign thanks to a hard-fought 16-11 triumph at Sixways Stadium, Richards lauded the Falcons’ strength in depth at present.
He said: “I was pleased for a number of reasons. I felt we controlled the game for the first half-hour, although we allowed them back into it through our own impatience and ill-discipline just before half-time.”
No fewer than 12 academy products were on show for the northeasterners at the weekend with a further eight players still to come back into the side.
“Some of our younger boys like George McGuigan and Scott Wilson are just getting better and better, and I have been delighted with what we are producing,” said Richards.
“These guys have been given their chance, and they are taking it. They are driving the club and the team forward,” he added.
A sterling defensive effort in the closing stages ensured another crucial four points for the Kingston Park club.
Reflecting on Newcastle’s start to the season, Richards said: “I’d sooner have five victories than two. We felt that we could have had more from this run of games and, while we are satisfied to a point, we are not really happy.
“I could be in Dean Ryan’s shoes at Worcester and have no wins at all, but I just feel there were more points to be had than we have got so far.”
