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Gloucester repel late Newcastle comeback to make it two wins out of two
By PA
Gloucester made it two wins from two in the Gallagher Premiership with a nervy 18-14 victory over Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park.
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Tries from George McGuigan – against his former side – and Jake Morris did the damage in a one-sided first half, which also saw Callum Chick sin-binned for the hosts.
George Barton added eight points from the tee, before the Falcons mounted a late comeback through a penalty try which also saw McGuigan yellow carded.
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Adam Radwan’s brilliant solo effort was not enough to stop the visitors closing out the win and handing his side a second successive defeat.
The visitors nudged in front early on – Barton taking advantage of a ninth-minute penalty 22 metres out.
And McGuigan came back to haunt his former club when he drove over after a line-out situation on 17 minutes – Barton converting from a tight angle to increase the lead to 10 points.
The home side almost hit back immediately when Ben Stevenson was let in by a slip, but a good tackle from Stephen Varney prevented a simple try in the corner.
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On 21 minutes, the Cherry and Whites dotted down again as a high kick caused panic behind the posts – Morris keeping his composure to take the catch and score.
The conversion was missed by Barton, as the howling winds and never-ending rain continued to cause problems on both sides.
Falcons’ captain Chick was sent to the sin bin a minute before half time, and Gloucester nearly made them pay with the final play of the half – Arthur Clark spotted Alex Hearle on the right wing with the freedom of Kingston Park, but the referee deemed his pass had gone forward.
Wing Radwan took matters into his own hands shortly after the interval when he carried the ball 40 metres – evading three challenges on the way – before Varney again intervened.
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Barton added another three points from the tee 10 minutes into the half, as the away side continued to look the more threatening.
But the north-east side began to gain a foothold on the hour mark, and were rewarded with a penalty try after McGuigan dragged a maul down which looked to be heading over the tryline.
Radwan then produced a stunning run from left to right before slicing through the Gloucester defence to dot down and reduce the deficit to four and earn his side a losing bonus point.
But it was not enough to deny the Cherry and Whites the victory, and vengeance for the Falcons completing the double over them last season.
