Newcastle open Challenge Cup with away loss to Brive
Last Updated: 13/11/15 10:16pm
Newcastle got their Challenge Cup campaign off to a poor start with a 13-9 away defeat to Brive on Friday night.
Fly-half Tom Catterick was the lone points scorer for the Falcons as they struggled to recover from a strong start from the home side.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 17th minute thanks to outside centre Malakai Bakaniceva, with fly-half Nicolas Bezy converting the effort.
Bezy extended his side's lead from the tee with a penalty in the 33rd minute, but Catterick opened his side's account a minute later.
A second penalty from Bezy gave Brive a 13-3 lead at half-time.
The Falcons edged back into the game, with Catterick adding to his tally in the 47th minute before bringing his side to within four points at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but the visitors were unable to breach their hosts' defence as they were forced to return home with a losing bonus point.
