Newcastle Falcons sign off with emphatic win over Harlequins

Mike Blair races clear to score a try on his final appearance for Newcastle

Newcastle's season ended on a high note with a comprehensive 37-21 victory over Harlequins at Kingston Park.

The Falcons ran in five tries to claim their first Aviva Premiership victory since January in front of a 7,014 crowd.

Richard Mayhew scored after just two minutes for the hosts, who trailed 16-11 at half-time, and they blew Quins away in the second half with tries from Scott Lawson, Mike Blair, Adam Powell and Andy Saull.

Quins scored a try in either half through Nick Evans and Marland Yarde as they finished a disappointing season in eighth place.

Dean Richards’ men made the best possible start when Mayhew scored after a double line-out drive.

Nick Evans cut the lead to 5-3 with a seventh-minute penalty before the Falcons squandered another try-scoring chance when Juan Pablo Socino and Alesana Tuilagi both slipped with the try line beckoning.

Catterick added two penalties, with Evans replying for Quins, and it was the visitors’ turn to bomb a glorious opportunity when Netani Talei ran back into traffic and lost possession.

But Quins made no such mistake after 28 minutes with relentless pressure opening the way for Evans to glide through, score under the posts and then convert for a 13-11 lead.

Evans extended Harlequins’ half-time advantage to five points with a controversial penalty, but they found themselves trailing again on 51 minutes when Lawson was driven over from a line-out and Catterick converted.

The lead again changed hands when Yarde beat the cover for a try on 56 minutes, but a see-saw contest swung back in the Falcons’ favour when they made a mess of a Quins ruck in midfield and Blair snapped up possession to race in from 45 metres.

It was a fitting end to Blair's playing career at the Falcons and he left the field a few moments later to a standing ovation.

Newcastle sealed victory with another cracking try, Socino popping a superb pass for Adam Powell to weave through and score.

And with seconds left on the clock, Newcastle again made a mess of a Quins ruck, turned the ball over, and Ruki Tipuna threw out a long pass for Saull to race in for their fifth try.