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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.
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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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The writer here ignores the fact that, following on from not taking the penalty kick, the All Blacks did manage to score a try a few minutes later. Not directly from the penalty awarded, but it is speculation to say that had they opted to take the koi they would have won. Even if they kicked it, which was no guarantee, they would still be trailing and would have had to start again at half-way.
Go to commentsI would be surprised if Sales Opoku Fordjour and Northampton’s Tommy Freeman are not in the team, Anthony Watson is also one that could go on the wing. One thing I must say is that the front 3 will get destroyed against a team like South Africa.
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