Newcastle Falcons 14 Worcester Warriors 3

NEWCASTLE boss Steve Bates believes the Falcons’ 14-3 Guinness Premiership win over Worcester Warriors has ‘‘massive significance’’.

All Black Carl Hayman led the hosts to a hardfought victory in wet and windy conditions to keep Newcastle in the top half.

Three penalties from Jimmy Gopperth and a try from hooker Rob Vickers gave the Falcons their second successive Premiership win, with Hayman and his pack in control throughout.

Director of Rugby Bates said: ‘‘Conditions were really difficult, but the win is of massive significance for us.

‘‘We’re moving in the right direction. But after winning at Bath last week, it was very important for us not to lose today.

‘‘Had we not consolidated on last week’s win, it would have been massively disappointing.

“In the past, we have been prone to doing things like winning at Bath and then sitting back and letting things slip.

‘‘We talked all week about being single-minded and ruthless – and we have to be.

‘‘If there is a lesson we can learn it’s not to be too defensive and let the opposition back in the game, which we did to a certain extent after half-time when we started to look a little nervous.’’ Both sides found the strong, swirling wind and soaking wet pitch a problem.

But Newcastle had the Worcester pack under constant pressure in the first half – and when Mark Sorenson was pulled down just short from Micky Young’s inside pass, hooker Vickers picked up to drive over for a try in the 15th minute.

Gopperth kicked a 28thminute penalty to make it 8-0 and added a second nine minutes into the second half when Worcester were seeing much more of the ball.

Willie Walker kicked a much-needed penalty to get the Warriors back in the game at 11-3 in the 61st minute.

Newcastle upped the pressure in the last ten minutes.

But it was stop-start rugby, and Gopperth slotted his third penalty in the 75th minute to put the Falcons out of reach.

Warriors’ Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock conceded Newcastle were the better side on the day.

‘‘They were certainly more streetwise than us and had the nudge on us in the scrummage in the first half, although we came back at them after half-time.

‘‘Their half-backs Gopperth and Young were better than ours at the kicking game, and Hayman is a mighty package in a good front row where Newcastle are no longer a soft touch.’’