Rugby
Falcons Make History
6 November 2007
Newcastle Falcons made rugby history on Monday night, as they became the first side to host a Guinness A League game on synthetic grass.
The Falcons Development Team defeated Sale Sharks 24-18 on the fourth generation synthetic field at their new Druid Park training ground, with the pitch getting a firm thumbs up from both sets of players.
Speaking after the game, Falcons prop Micky Ward said: “It's an awesome surface.
“We train on it every day, but tonight is the first time I've played a competitive match on it and I thought it was absolutely fantastic. It makes for a quick game, which is what people want to see, and even from a scrummaging point of view it was a pleasure to play on.”
Falcons director of rugby, John Fletcher, was among the crowd at Druid Park for the game, stating afterwards: “Rugby needs to embrace modern technology, and we're leading the way yet again here here by introducing what is an amazing surface.
“Our first team squad trains on it all week, the players love it and it will really come in to its own during the winter months when the weather means a lot of grass fields will be either unplayable or in poor condition.”
Even on a freezing November evening the perfect Druid Park pitch contributed to a quick and free flowing encounter, as Newcastle took an early lead with a try from lock Stuart Walker after a pick-and-go from close range in the right corner.
With scrum half Micky Young driving the pace and probing the fringes there was a second try to follow after just 11 minutes through England Under-18s fly half Rob Miller, playing at inside centre on this occasion, as he broke the line at pace from a slick backs move down the left.
Miller converted his own try for a 14-0 lead, but Sale got themselves off the mark on the half hour as powerful flanker Hannero finally converted their sustained pressure in to points with a try in the right corner.
The Falcons finished the half on a high with a superb score as Miller grabbed his second try of the night, Young's dancing feet creating the space for a break as Miller's support run paid off, catching Young's offload to scurry home down the left wing showing outstanding pace.
Miller's touchline conversion ensured a 21-5 halftime lead for the Falcons, but Sale pulled themselves back in to contention courtesy of two second half penalties from fly half Rhys Jones and a try from winger Nick Royle as he collected his own kick ahead to dot the ball down and reduce the gap to just three points.
Late pressure from the hosts almost saw a try from Dutch wing Tim Visser, but in the end a long range Miller penalty drew the scoring to a close as Newcastle recorded their first Guinness A League victory of the season.
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