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Newcastle’s grim losing streak continues with defeat to Montpellier
By PA
Newcastle’s losing streak continued in the Challenge Cup as they opened their European campaign with a 24-19 defeat to Montpellier at Kingston Park.
The hosts, who have lost each of their first seven Gallagher Premiership matches this season, were 17-0 down early in the second half following tries from Alex Becognee, Ben Lam and Anthony Bouthier.
Newcastle fought back to close the gap to five points with Callum Chick and Iwan Stephens crossing, before Sam Simmonds notched a bonus-point try for the French side in the 63rd minute, with Louis Carbonel converting.
Jamie Blamire notched a third Newcastle try, converted by Louie Johnson, in the 75th minute but Alex Codling’s men were unable to avoid another loss.
Also in Pool 2, Lions began with a win as the South African outfit triumphed 28-12 at Perpignan.
With the match level at 3-3, Lions’ Rabz Maxwane scored what proved the only try of the contest in the ninth minute.
The other 23 points for Lions – who led 16-12 at the interval – came from the boot of Jordan Hendrikse, while Jean-Pascal Barraque kicked all of Perpignan’s points.
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I’m hoping that the Reds can win their last 4 games with a couple of try bonus points. The pessimist in me wouldn't be surprised if the Drua and the Tahs knock the Reds over. The Reds may end up ruing the fact they were distinctly 2nd best against the Force and just so clunky against Moana Pasifica. The Brumbies should win all their remaining games with some bonus points giving them at least a top 2 finish as the leading Kiwi sides will take points off each other. How the Brumbies handle the fact that they will be expected to beat the Crusaders will fascinate me. You’d probably have to go back to 2001 for the last time the Brumbies would go into a game against the Crusaders nearly odds on to win.
Go to commentsFree to air is the key to fan expansion. I attended last weeks game at Suncorp (Reds v Blues) and the total cost is prohibitive to most people that wish to attend. Two tickets $130, parking (event day gouging) $75, road tolls $20, dinner beforehand $130, plus some petrol and a beer inside the stadium and a single game starts to cost $300-400. Who can afford that week in week out, I’d love to go more but could only afford this one game to see the Blues, I’d have loved to have seen more NZ teams here but I’d need to stop eating or sell a kidney.
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