Falcons baffle Andrew

14 April 2012

How Newcastle coach Rob Andrew would have loved to be alongside his recuperating star Jonny Wilkinson on a beach in Mauritius yesterday when Leeds staged a remarkable recovery to claim their first-ever win over the Falcons.

The battling Tykes fought back from 20-3 down after 35 minutes to end their seven match losing run and leave Newcastle still looking for their first Premiership win of 2004.

England cruised on without Wilkinson yesterday, but the Falcons have not been able to perform similarly this season in the absence of their talisman.

Not even the presence of another Wilkinson - Jonny's brother Mark - in the No 10 shirt was enough to counter fast- finishing Leeds, who ran in three tries in a 20-minute, second-half spell to overhaul Newcastle for a 28-25 victory.

Andrew was stuck for answers afterwards. He said: 'It's very frustrating and, in some ways, sums up our season. We are still trying to work out how we contrived to lose the game from that position.

'It's not a lack of effort. We are missing a bit of nous, as well as key players in key positions. Jonny and (injured lock) Mark Andrews are both world-class players who know their way around a rugby field and can manage games.'

Northampton wing Oriol Ripol dragged down his Saracens opposite number, Paul Bailey, inches from the line to ensure the Saints held out for a 22-18 win in another thriller at Vicarage Road.

Wasps held off Rotherham in an equally tight match on Saturday. The Titans rallied at Millmoor before finally going down 27-20 to register their 16th consecutive loss.

It was not all good news for Wasps, though, who lost Irish flanker Jonny O'Connor for the rest of the season with a snapped Achilles tendon.

Gloucester disposed of Sale 38-12.

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