Wasps claim late win

Charlie Beech's 79th-minute try handed Wasps a much-needed 23-17 Guinness Premiership victory over Newcastle at Kingston Park.

Touchdowns by Danny Williams and Tom May had put the Falcons into a strong position but wing Beech's late intervention handed Ian McGeechan's side the second win of their league campaign.

Dave Walder kicked all of Wasps other points as he hammered over six successful penalties.

After just three minutes, Newcastle had taken a sensational lead following May's penalty kick to touch. Good possession was secured at the lineout and the ball moved quickly along the line to Tane Tuipulotu for the centre to cut inside and float out a pass to winger Williams who stormed over. Rory Clegg then made it a perfect start for the Falcons with a conversion from wide out.

Wasps got on the scoreboard after 12 minutes when Newcastle were penalised for playing the ball on the ground at a ruck and Walder put over the kick, but his effort was cancelled out two minutes later by Clegg following an offside.

Walder then hit four unanswered penalties to give Wasps a five-point advantage at the break.

Newcastle started the second period exactly as they had the first, scoring a fine try within three minutes of the whistle. May found Jones, who cut through the Wasps defence, and although his progress was eventually halted, May was back in support to get the vital touchdown. Clegg added the conversion and the Falcons were back in front.

Walder wasted a good drop-goal opportunity but then finally got his side back in front when Ed Williamson, the Newcastle flanker, was yellow-carded for a spear tackle, and the Wasps fly-half converted the penalty.

In a dramatic finale Newcastle pressed hard when Tim Visser was released down the left, but the Wasps defence stood firm as Williams and the Tuipulotu stretched them in their own 22.

With time running out and the game still in the balance, Wasps finally secured the winning score when they drove deep in to the home 22 and replacement prop Beech broke through a tackle to score in the corner.