NOTTINGHAM threatened, but ultimately failed to disrupt
Newcastle's unbeaten start to the RFU Championship season on Friday
night.
BIG FINISH:
Fielden secures the four-try bonus-point win for Falcons with
his late effort against Nottingham.
The Falcons extended their lead at the top of the table to 12
points with the bonus-point 29-9 win over the Green and Whites at
Kingston Park.
Defeat drops Nottingham to third place in the league, with
Bedford leapfrogging the East Midlands club into second spot with a
narrow 22-21 win away over Doncaster.
Despite the four-try defeat, the Green and Whites only added to
their credentials as a top four side by heaping more pressure
on the former Premiership outfit than they have become used to
since their relegation.
After Nottingham blew away Bristol 63-7 five days earlier,
Newcastle was intent on setting the tone from the outset.
Back rower Richard Mayhew crashed over the line for the opening
try in the seventh minute with Jimmy Gopperth converting.
Even though making territory was tough for Nottingham, at times
labouring to push Newcastle into their defensive 50, the Green and
Whites troubled the hosts in the first half.
Fly half James Arlidge hit two penalties as Nottingham went into
the break within a point of a side that has fashioned itself as
being too good for the second tier of English rugby. The Japan
international very nearly gave visitors the lead, but pulled his
third penalty attempt of the night wide of the target.
Newcastle snatched the first point on offer after the break,as
Gopperth gave Falcons some breathing space with a penalty.
Soon after full back Alex Tait touched down under the posts,
finishing off the slickest passage of play of the night.
There was only so long that Nottingham could resist Newcastle
from adding to its advantage, with the Green and Whites pack
folding five minutes from time by giving away a penalty try for
repeated infringements.
And with the bonus point up for grabs, the Falcons didn't
relent.
Luke Fielden grabbed maximum points deep into injury time,
darting through on the left flank.
Falcons 29 (R Mayhew, A Tait, L Fielden,
Penalty try; Gopperth 3 conv; Gopperth pen) Nottingham
Rugby 9 (J Arlidge 3 pens)
Attendance: 3,458 at Kingston Park