FALCONS TV: CHAMPIONS EDITION
Grabbing interviews with the players as they took to their lap of honour with the Championship trophy held aloft, Falcons TV also got Dean Richards’ insight into what has been a memorable season, before rounding off the night with the obligatory chat with fan’s Al and Les.
With the Falcons gearing up for trips to Welford Road, Franklin’s Gardens and Allianz Park next season, centre Adam Powell insists the hard work starts now.
“We will enjoy the victory, but the hard work starts now in preparation for the Aviva Premiership, and I am looking forward to it,” a delighted Powell Told Falcons TV.
Making his tenth appearance for the Falcons on Wednesday since his switch from Saracens in April, Powell added: “It is a fantastic feeling to be back in the Aviva Premiership and the boys deserve a lot of credit for the work they have done – obviously I only came in for the final stretch of the season.
“Hopefully we did our fans proud and there is now a lot of hard work ahead of us as it is not about making up the numbers in the Aviva Premiership, it is about competing and making sure we are as good as we can be.”
Try scorer Alex Tait got more than he bargained for during his interview when he took a tumble after a crunching tackle from fellow teammate Ally Hogg.
All in good humour the former Barnard Castle pupil, who has risen through the ranks on Tyneside, continued: “I am absolutely over the moon, and achieving promotion is what we have wanted to do all season, and we have done it, and that is all that counts.”
Scotland international Rory Lawson was a summer recruit in the build-up to the 2012-13 campaign, signing from Gloucester.
Admitting he was experiencing a mixture of emotions, Lawson said: “It is a mixture of relief and a time to really celebrate. We had one goal in mind at the start of the season, and that was to get back to the Aviva Premiership, and we have done that and everybody is delighted.
“I can’t wait for next season.”
Recipient of the Ken Lockerbie Trophy and the Try of the Season award at the end of season presentation earlier this month, Cumbrian Mark Wilson believes northern grit has won the day, saying: “I think back to the 11 June of last year when we all came back in for pre-season, and there has been a lot of hard graft since then, and we have got what we deserve.”
In an emotional end to an illustrious career, Jonny Golding bowed out in style with a winner’s medal. The former England Saxon insists the night belonged to the fans, adding: “I am just so happy for the fans as they really deserve it, and this is just the beginning for the club.
> “Winning is a habit and I think that is what we have here now, and
> everyone is excited about the club’s future. I am sure the club will
> now push on and move on to big things, and I am really happy to leave
> on a good note.”
From one man hanging up his boots to one who is leaving the club for pastures new, Jimmy Gopperth signed off with the perfect ending to his four years in the North East.
“We let ourselves down a little bit in the first-half but we stuck together and that is what it has been all about right from the word go this season,” said the Kiwi No.10, who now packs his bags for his move to Leinster.
“We did well in the second-half, and to finish off the season like this is outstanding and I want to wish the rest of the boys all the very best in the Aviva Premiership next season,” added Gopperth.
You can watch the feature length video on Falcons TV by clicking here.
