Played on the all-weather pitch at Loughborough University, the visitors had to battle back from a try down when Cameron Wilkins scored from a catch and drive.

But a resilient Falcons outfit hit back with three converted tries to lead 21-5 by half-time, Scott Wilson crossing for their first try from a line-out drive to level the scores.

Brett Connon’s chip enabled Tom Penny to cross for a try which put Newcastle into a lead they were never to relinquish, Connon slotting the conversion.

Prop Wilson sped in for his second try of the night to complete the first-half scoring, centre Charlie Thacker grabbing the first try of the second half as the home side put up a fight.

But the Falcons were to run in a further two tries without riposte, replacement fly-half Craig Willis securing the four-try bonus point after rounding off a move from scrum ball.

Max Davies was pulled back from a promising position after a marginal forward pass decision when the replacement back-rower seemed to have been out in the clear, but the fifth and final try did arrive when replacement prop Adam Brocklebank powered over.

Academy manager and first team skills coach Mark Laycock said afterwards: “We played well in difficult conditions and can take a lot out of the game.

“The rain was a good leveller but I thought our lads coped well, we ground out the result and there were a lot of pleasing aspects despite our limited preparation time.

“We reacted well when things didn’t go our way, we didn’t allow negatives to affect us and that was a very impressive element of the lads’ performance.

“Scotty Wilson scored a couple of tries, one from considerably further out than the other, and our overall game management was good. Brett Connon and Sam Stuart in the half-backs managed that side of the game well, their kicking game was very effective and also responded well to Leicester’s threats around the maul.

“Overall I was happy with the way we played, although like any game there will be areas where we can improve.”

**Newcastle Falcons**

15 Tom Penny

14 Zach Kibirige

13 Dominic Waldouck

12 Juan Pablo Socino

11 Adam Radwan

10 Brett Connon

9 Sam Stuart

1 Sami Mavinga

2 Santiago Socino

3 Scott Wilson

4 Evan Olmstead

5 Andrew Davidson

6 Callum Chick

7 Simon Uzokwe

8 Ryan Burrows (captain)

**Replacements**

16 Jamie Blamire

17 Adam Brocklebank

18 Trevor Davison

19 Max Davies

20 Matt Salway (Northumbria University)

21 Cameron Cowell

22 Craig Willis

23 Belisario Agulla

**Leicester Tigers**

15 Tom Brady

14 Will Foster (Loughborough University)

13 Matt Smith

12 Charlie Thacker

11 Jack Antoniou (Loughborough University)

10 George Worth (captain)

9 Ben Pointon (Loughborough University)

1 Facundo Gigena

2 Harry Mahoney

3 Ben Betts

4 Dom Barrow

5 Joe Maksymiw

6 Will Foster (Loughborough University)

7 Cameron Wilkins (Loughborough University)

8 Fred Tuilagi

**Replacements**

16 Jamie Cox (Loughborough University)

17 Owen Hills

18 Andrew Nathan-Boyd (Loughborough University)

19 Sam Bailey (Loughborough University)

20 Oliver Kilgallon (Loughborough University)

21 Will Findlay (Loughborough University)

22 Joe Carolan (Loughborough University)

23 Bamidele Fadahunsi (Loughborough University)