Newcastle 22-10 Gloucester: Falcons defy the odds as Adam Radwan’s 95-metre try seals the show

It was a good day’s work all round for Dean Richards. Having arrived at 7am to help shovel snow off the pitch, the Newcastle coach watched his side temporarily move to the top of the Premiership table.

After the CEO scraped ice from the advertising hoardings and the media manager spread salt across the car park, the players duly stuck to their side of the bargain with a victory in sub-zero conditions.

‘Some people were here at half four in the morning,’ said Richards. ‘I turned up a little bit after, following a bacon sandwich and a good night’s sleep! The bulk of the shovelling was done on Friday by the non-squad players, who all wanted to get the game on.’

Rookie Adam Radwan scored a sensational 95-metre try to lay foundations in the fifth minute

Attacking from turnover ball, he took on Jonny May and turned the England winger inside out

Everybody did their bit. None more so than rookie Adam Radwan, whose sensational 95-metre try lay the foundations in the fifth minute. Attacking from the turnover ball, he took on Jonny May and, showing his raw speed, turned the England and Gloucester winger inside out.

The early score put Gloucester on course for another defeat, which leaves them bottom of the table. Their form is a contrast to Newcastle who continue to defy the odds.

‘I think every one of the reporters, bar none, made us favourites to be relegated again, which gave us a bit of motivation,’ admitted Richards. 

Newcastle, who dropped to second after Bristol’s win at Exeter, are not blessed with blockbuster Test stars. Their success has been built off a reliable set-piece and a doggedness in the contact area. 

With 14 minutes on the clock, the forwards launched a dummy drive, before the backs attacked. They controlled possession through the phases and Matias Orlando was unmarked to score the second from the base of a ruck.

May partly spared his blushes with a pick-and-go try for the visitors in a tricky afternoon

Once again, Gloucester were left to rue missed chances as they remain bottom of the table

Gloucester fought back and May partly spared his blushes with a pick-and-go try. After the break, Lloyd Evans added a penalty. But, once again, Gloucester were left to rue missed chances.

‘We let the pressure valve off every time we had them camped on their own line,’ said Gloucester coach George Skivington.

Newcastle faded out of the game but, in the last 15 minutes, they rediscovered their composure. 

Brett Connon edged the hosts ahead with a penalty. And in the final play, George McGuigan drove over to deny Gloucester a losing bonus point. They will be feeling the cold.