Building on the feelgood factor created by the club’s first team in the Aviva Premiership’s opening round, the Falcons battled back from a try behind as Owain James grabbed the first touch-down of the night for the home side.

The Falcons drew level when fly-half Craig Willis (pictured) scored from close range, converting his own try and adding a second conversion on 15 minutes when winger Adam Radwan showed his finishing prowess with a well-taken score.

Willis sent over a brace of penalties as his team’s lead was extended to 13 points by the quarter mark, the Falcons enjoying a 27-7 half-time lead when Ben Stevenson chased down Willis’ grubber with the final play of the opening 40.

It was more of the same after the break as Newcastle went further ahead via full-back Brett Connon’s try, back-row men Simon Uzokwe and Harrison Orr following suit in what was rapidly becoming a rout.

Will Porter responded with a try for Wasps but the respite was merely temporary when Falcons AASE scheme player Morgan Passman came on from the bench to dot down.

American lock Nick Civetta scored the visitors’ eighth try from a length-of-the-field move, Glen Young adding number nine before TJ Harris grabbed a last-minute consolation for a well-beaten Wasps outfit.

Academy manager and first team skills coach Mark Laycock spoke of his delight at the performance, saying: “We’re really pleased with the result.

“Not only that, but by the manner in which the lads went about things. We spoke before the game about wanting to put pressure on the first team players and for lads to stake their claim for senior selection, and we couldn’t ask for much more than they delivered.

“We scored nine tries, stole a lot of set-piece ball from Wasps and struck effectively when we we had our opportunities. We did concede three tries but there were some outstanding performances, and we’ve really laid a platform for our season.”

**Falcons Development Team**

15 Brett Connon

14 Cameron Cowell

13 Ben Stevenson

12 Charlie Wilson

11 Adam Radwan

10 Craig Willis

9 Ruaridh Dawson

1 Adam Brocklebank

2 Santiago Socino

3 Jake Ilnicki

4 Glen Young

5 Evan Olmstead

6 Harrison Orr

7 Simon Uzokwe

8 Ryan Burrows (captain)

**Replacements**

16 Ben Sowrey

17 Jack Bergmanas (Doncaster)

18 Diogo Ferreira

19 Nick Civetta

20 Gary Graham

21 Cameron Kelemeti (Durham School)

22 Morgan Passman (Falcons AASE)

23 Max Davies

**Wasps**

15 Rob Miller

14 Taju Atta (Wasps Academy U18)

13 Brendan Macken

12 Guy Armitage

11 Owain James

10 Connor Eastgate

9 Craig Hampson (captain)

1 Ben Harris

2 Antonio Harris

3 Will Stuart

4 Cameron Gray (Coventry RFC)

5 Guy Borrowdale (Rotherham Titans)

6 Gabriel Oghre

7 James Seabrook

8 Tom Willis

**Replacements**

16 Will Owen

17 George Thornton

18 David Langley

19 James Moreton (Broadstreet RFC)

20 George Cox (Nottingham RFC)

21 Will Porter

22 Josh Grimes (Nottingham RFC)

23 Jo Davetanilavu (Army)