Walder: We couldn’t put them under any pressure

By JOHN FALLON

Connacht……….22pts

Tries: Boyle 4, Byrne 37, Killgallen 77

Conversions: Hawkshaw 4, 38

Penalties: Hawkshaw 60

Newcastle………. 8pts

Tries: Earle 25

Penalties: Schoeman 20

NEWCASTLE Falcons coach Dave Walder said they just were not accurate enough to claim a Challenge Cup win in freezing conditions at the Sportsground.

His side deservedly led 8-7 after 25 minutes but didn't score again once Connacht got to grips with their pack in the set-piece.

“We had endeavour, we showed good attitude but we just lacked a bit of accuracy,” said Walder. “At half-time we felt we could fix a few things and apply more pressure but some of our skills let us down and we were never able to really put them under pressure.

“I disappointed we weren't more accurate.”

Connacht started and finished the opening half strongly but in between Newcastle's bulkier pack gave the Falcons plenty of possession.

Connacht defended well and, rarely for this season, made the most of what they created to touch down early and late in the half. Paul Boyle, one of just three survivors for Connacht from last weekend's starting side against Benetton, picked up where he left off against the Italians when he drove over after three minutes after good ground was made by scrum-half Caolin Blade.

Out-half Tian Schoeman pulled back a penalty after 19 minutes for Newcastle and they hit the front six minutes later. Schoeman used a penalty advantage to float an excellent crosskick which was taken by Adam Radwan over Blade's head and he passed for Nathan Earle to come around on the loop off the other wing to score. But that was as good as it got for Falcons.

Adam Byrne, belatedly making his first Connacht start after his summer move from Leinster, announced his arrival at the Sportsground with a jinking sprint from outside the 22 to score. David Hawkshaw added the extras to take a 14-8 lead and he pushed it out to 17-8 going into the final quarter.

Impressive winger Diarmuid Kilgallen got over for Connacht's third try four minutes from the end when he collected a crosskick from replacement outhalf Conor Fitzgerald.

“We are happy with the win,” said Connacht director of rugby Andy Friend. “It was a pretty physical affair and to hold them scoreless after half-time was good.”