Match Report
Wasps - 27
Newcastle Falcons - 0
The hosts got off to the ideal start with a try in side the first two minutes, Joel Matavesi breaking and offloading to older brother Josh for a try down the right, converted by Craig Willis.
The home side’s second try arrived on eight minutes when Wasps’ long-range penalty bounced back off the post, Newcastle attacking from deep in a move which ended with Zach Kibirige racing in from 60 metres out in a stunning solo finish.
Captain Ryan Burrows was next over when the home side opted for a scrum from a penalty 15 metres out, the No 8 supporting Santiago Socino’s line break to collect a scoring pass from close range.
Wasps hit back when Josh Grimes grounded in the right corner from a simple overlap, fly-half Connor Eastgate converting impressively from out wide, but the Falcons had the four-try bonus point inside 19 minutes when Joel Matavesi’s straightening line carved a hole for the centre to score.
Try number five arrived before the half-hour when a line-out in the left corner and some superb angles of running saw Socino crossing between the posts, Newcastle ending the half 33-7 up after a one-sided opening period.
The Falcons began the second half exerting the same dominance they had enjoyed in the first, an all new front row shipped on and earning instant rewards with a penalty try as an advancing scrum-five was halted illegally.
The momentum continued without relent, Kibirige’s line-break enabling replacement Opeti Fonua to score from a close-range ruck down the right, Adam Radwan quickly following up with a try of his own after more slick handling.
Scrum-half Craig Hampson snuck down the blind-side for Wasps’ second try, fit-again back Tom Penny hitting a lovely line as Newcastle resumed their try-scoring pattern with a well-taken effort down the left.
Ben Sowrey had the final say with a try from a driving maul in the left corner, wrapping up a convincing home victory.
Newcastle’s next A-League encounter comes on Sunday December 17 when they travel to Worcester in a 2pm kick-off.
**Newcastle Falcons:** 15 Brett Connon, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Josh Matavesi, 12 Joel Matavesi, 11 Zach Kibirige, 10 Craig Willis, 9 Ruaridh Dawson; 1 Sam Lockwood, 2 Santiago Socino, 3 Trevor Davison, 4 Glen Young, 5 Andrew Davidson, 6 Harrison Orr, 7 Ally Hogg, 8 Ryan Burrows (captain).
**Replacements:** 16 Ben Sowrey, 17 Jack Payne, 18 Adam Brocklebank, 19 Opeti Fonua, 20 Simon Uzokwe, 21 Dan Nutton, 22 Tom Penny, 23 Aedan Moloney.
**Falcons scorers -** Tries: Josh Matavesi, Zach Kibirige, Ryan Burrows, Joel Matavesi, Santiago Socino, Penalty try, Opeti Fonua, Adam Radwan, Tom Penny, Ben Sowrey. Conversions: Craig Willis 5.
**Wasps:** 15 Will Millett, 14 Josh Grimes, 13 Brendan Macken, 12 Jacob Umaga, 11 Guy Armitage, 10 Connor Eastgate, 9 Craig Hampson; 1 George Thornton, 2 Gabriel Oghre, 3 Jake Dodd, 4 Marcus Garratt, 5 Guy Borrowdale, 6 James Seabrook, 7 Will Owen, 8 George Cox.
**Replacements:** 16 TJ Harris, 17 Harry Morley, 18 Gareth Smith, 19 James Moreton, 20 Lewis Grinsell, 21 Francisco Vieira, 22 Owain Davies, 23 Ben Lloyd.
**Wasps scorers -** Tries: Josh Grimes, Craig Hampson. Conversions: Connor Eastgate.
**Referee:** Matt Turvey.
