Season Recap: March 2015
March began with the news that the Singha Premiership Rugby 7s would return to the North East with Kingston Park hosting group C of the competition this August.
Welcoming Leicester Tigers to Newcastle the Falcons put up a big fight against their old rivals but, despite scores from Scott Lawson and Sinoti Sinoti, a Tigers try six minutes from time set the score at 12-16, leaving the hosts with only a single point for their efforts.
In a Kingston Park double header, England Under 18s triumphed 39-27 against their Scottish counterparts, Falcons Academy players Johnny McPhillips and Joe Craggs collecting a try apiece.
The same day, the Falcons ran the largest ever Land Rover Cup junior rugby competition, Falcons Academy star Callum Chick heading along to relieve his own experiences of appearing for Ponteland RFC Under 11s in the competition.
A fan forum revealed the exclusive news that Director of Rugby Dean Richards had signed a new three year deal with the club as well as details of Tongan Prop Taione Vea’s decision to move to Kingston Park Stadium, while the Falcons also announced the signing of fellow Prop Ben Harris from Yorkshire Carnegie.
As Premiership Rugby confirmed their longest TV deal to date as they signed terms with BT Sport up until the end of the 2020/21 season, the Falcons also announced plans for the future, signing Adam Redman and Joe Craggs up to next term’s Senior Academy.
After just one season of Premiership action Juan Pablo Socino agreed a three year contract extension with the Falcons while Simon Hammersley and Zach Kibirige both extended their own deals with the club.
Newcastle Falcons Academy achieved GOLD Standard across the board in their Annual RFU/PRL Audit (98%) while Gosforth Academy, where the Newcastle Falcons AASE Scheme is operated, qualified for the AASE Vase Final at Allianz Park, losing out to Bicton College on the day.
Ruaridh Dawson and James Spencer represent England Under 18s Clubs and Schools, beating Ireland and France.
Off the field Kingston Park’s new East Stand bar, the Tap & Tackle, opened its doors to the public following a re-fit and re-naming which saw two Thunder fans win the competition to name the bar while elsewhere the Falcons headed to North Fawdon Primary to celebrate World Book Day and the Greggs Tackling Health Programme.
