Season Recap: December 2014
As 2014 drew to a close, Newcastle Falcons and BT Sport visited Emmaville Primary School to promote Healthy Eating as part of the Something to Chew On programme before the Falcons headed off to play Santa, delivering selection boxes and other gifts to patients at Newcastle’s RVI and Sunderland Royal.
The return of European rugby saw the North Easterners notch up another Challenge cup victory at home to Stade Francais when they triumphed 30-23 picking up another four try bonus point, Tom Catterick taking to the helm at Fly Half and providing the Falcons family with another home grown talent to cheer on in the 10 shirt.
The Falcons gave their all in the return fixture a week later but it wasn’t to be, Stade triumphing 31-24 despite tries from Juan Pablo Socino, Simon Hammersley and Mark Wilson.
As the Falcons were chosen to deliver Newcastle’s Rugby World Cup 2015 Fanzone in association with Ramside Events, the club agreed a partnership deal with Sandman Signature Hotels and Shark Bar, with both brands appearing on team shirts.
As the Aviva Under 18s league kicked off, the Falcons’ A Team continued their unbeaten run, beating Northampton Wanderers 35-13 at home to book their place in the Aviva A League Semi Final.
The return of Premiership rugby saw the Falcons travel to Harlequins where they lost 15-7 despite Alex Tuilagi scoring the only try of the game.
Then it was back to Kingston Park for the Falcons’ big festive fixture against Saracens; the Falcons put up a good fight on a thrilling encounter that saw a brace of tries from Premiership Rugby debutant Chris Harris.
Fresh from impressing in the 7s, Europe and the Green King IPA Championship with Rotherham, the Carlisle-born flyer’s second score gave the Falcons an opportunity to earn a memorable draw but with the conversion snapped away by a gust of wind, the home side had to settle for a losing bonus point and a 23-25 score line.
With the Saracens game drawing in a six year high crowd of 9,912 the club announced that match day crowds were up 18.3%, MD Mick Hogan putting the increase down to an improved showing and a lot of hard work both on and off the field. Elsewhere the Falcons saw the biggest rise of any Premiership Rugby club in the Sports Social Media Index, moving from 12th to 5th in the poll.
