Honours even at Kingston Park
Newcastle and Harlequins are both still looking for their first wins of the new season after the visitors snatched a late draw on Friday night when the two teams clashed in their round four Premiership match at Kingston Park.
The Falcons blew a 14-3 half time lead to earn only a share of the points and, in doing so, extended their remarkable series of draws; making that three out of four games.
With skipper Carl Hayman and wing Danny Williams both late injury withdrawal flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth assumed the captaincy for the night but it was his opposite number and countryman Nick Evans who got the scoreboard rolling first with a penalty from straight in front on the 22.
Even minus Hayman the Newcastle scrum still stood up well, Micky Ward deputising well in tandem with the rampaging Jon Golding.
The hosts slipped up with an early chance to grab the lead as Gopperth lost his footing on the wet surface from a penalty on the left touchline, but within a minute they were in the lead as centre Tane Tu’ipulotu showed fine support play to cross the whitewash.
Gopperth collected a midfield bouncing ball to free ex-Quin Charlie Amesbury, who raced to the 22 as Micky Young supported and offloaded from close range to Tu’ipulotu.
Skipper Gopperth converted well from the left hand side for a four-point advantage, and straight from the restart fullback Alex Tait and spritely wing Tom Biggs combined in attack down the same channel.
A huge scrum win against the head got the home fans going, and midway through the half they were celebrating again as a Rob Vickerman run and support from Brent Wilson set up the ruck from which Tim Swinson burrowed over the line.
Gopperth converted for a 14-3 half time lead with the Falcons firmly in the ascendancy, but a fired-up Quins side responded immediately after the break with a Nick Evans penalty just four minutes in.
Almost straight from the restart the Londoners reduced the deficit to just three points as England fullback Ugo Monye hit a superb line to cross in the right corner – Newcastle's ill discipline coming under the spotlight as visiting scrum half Danny Care caused mayhem with a string of quick taps.
A long range Gopperth penalty relieved the pressure somewhat as Newcastle nudged themselves 17-11 in front, but despite solid line defence it was to be needless penalties which cost the hosts dear.
Evans struck over his third of the night just after the hour mark as the Falcons strayed offside, and levelled matters with just five minutes to play as replacement hooker Rob Vickers was dispatched to the sin bin for offside at a ruck on his own 22.
What had already turned into a disappointment almost became a calamity with the very last kick as Evans slotted into the pocket for a drop goal, his strike sailing inches wide as both sides had to content themselves with only a share of the spoils.
With thanks to Newcaslte.
The Scorers
For Newcastle
Tries: Tu'ipulotu, Swinson
Pen: Gopperth
Cons: Gopperth 2
For Harlequins
Tries: Monye
Pen: Evans 4
Yellow Cards: Rob Vickers (Newcastle - 75 min)
Teams:
Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Filipo Levi, 7 Brent Wilson, 6 Peter Browne, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 James Hudson, 3 Carl Hayman (captain), 2 Matt Thompson, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Laurence Ovens, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Adam Balding, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Gcobani Bobo.
Harlequins: 15 Ugo Monye, 14 Davis Strettle, 13 George Lowe, 12 Tosh Masson, 11 Gonzalo Comacho, 10 Nick Evans,9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Will Skinner, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Jim Evans, 4 Lewis Stevenson, 3 Mark Lambert, 2 Gary Botha, 1Ceri Jones
Replacements: 16 Aston Croall 17 Tani Fuga, 18 James Johnston 19 Shane O’Connor
20. Tom Guest, 21 Gareth Williams 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Josh Drauniniu
Date: Friday, 25 September
Time: 19.00 (18.00 GMT)
Venue: Kingston Park
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth