Worcester deservedly end Falcons cup hopes

9:44am Saturday 26th April 2008

Worcester 31 Newcastle Falcons 16 NEWCASTLE Falcons European Challenge Cup hopes were dashed last night with Worcester booking their place in the final as two tries from Sam Tuitupou sounded the curtain call on Jonny Wilkinson's season.

Pace key for Mowden success

9:46am Saturday 26th April 2008

DARLINGTON Mowden Park are banking on pace to propel them into National Two for the first time in their play-off at Cinderford today.

Mowden ready for big day

10:39am Friday 25th April 2008

DARLINGTON Mowden Park's play-off hosts, Cinderford, suffered a blow in midweek when their highly-rated fly half, Tristan Roberts, broke an ankle in helping Hartpury College to win the BUSA Championship final against Loughborough at Twickenham.

Jonny defies shoulder problem

11:12am Thursday 24th April 2008

DESPITE requiring shoulder surgery, Jonny Wilkinson will join his England colleagues Jamie Noon and Toby Flood in returning to the Newcastle Falcons team for tomorrow nightfs European Challenge Cup semi-final at Worcester.

More woe for Wilkinson

6:20pm Monday 21st April 2008

ENGLAND fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has been ruled out of the forthcoming tour to New Zealand because of injury. The Rugby Football Union confirmed the 28-year-old will undergo shoulder surgery when the current season ends. It means the Newcastle Falcons player will miss the June 14 clash in Auckland and the following week's fixture in Christchurch. Wilkinson, 28, missed his club's seventh consecutive Guinness Premiership defeat away to Sale Sharks on Sunday because of concussion. However, it is a shoulder problem that means he will not play a part in the tour to New Zealand, which will be under the guidance of RFU elite rugby director Rob Andrew, with newlyappointed team manager Martin Johnson staying in England with his pregnant wife Kay. Andrew said: Of course we would have liked him to tour and we intend to take our strongest available squad. But player welfare is important and in this case it is the right call for Jonny not to go to New Zealand. We decided with Newcastle Falcons and Jonny that it was in his best interests to have this operation at the end of the season so that he can spend the summer rehabilitating.'' Wilkinson became the highest points scorer in Test history during this year's RBS 6 Nations campaign - but lost his place to Danny Cipriani in the final match against Ireland. However, having signed a new two-year contract with his club, Wilkinson had set his sights on forcing his way back into the team. After missing the Sale loss he is expected to return for the visit of Worcester Warriors in the European Challenge Cup semifinal. But once Newcastle's season is over, Wilkinson will undergo surgery on what is described as a long-standing labral (cartilage) tear''. The surgery also means the fly-half will not be available for England's match against the Barbarians at Twickenham on June 1.

Newcastle youngster signs one-year deal

10:53am Monday 21st April 2008

NEWCASTLE Falcons have secured the signature of another of their brightest prospects, with scrum-half Micky Young signing a new one-year deal to stay at Kingston Park.

Benson the key to Mowden’s ambition

10:22am Monday 21st April 2008

WHILE Darlington Mowden Park will hope to get fly half Jon Benson fit for Saturday's promotion play-off at Cinderford, it would be tough on replacement Charlie Rayner if he again has to start on the bench.

Character shines as Darlington secure their status

10:20am Monday 21st April 2008

Darlington 21 Birkenhead Park 8 IT WAS a huge testament to Darlington's tremendous character that they comfortably beat a stronger side to hang on to their North One status.

Falcons suffer big loss

10:18am Monday 21st April 2008

Sale Sharks 53 Newcastle Falcons 10 CHRIS Bell and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe both touched down twice as Sale kept their Guinness Premiership play-off hopes alive with a clinical bonus-point victory over faltering Newcastle.

Beattie ready to make most of second chance

9:19am Saturday 19th April 2008

FORMER Scotland back row man Ross Beattie is determined to seize his second chance with Newcastle Falcons following a career dogged by injury.

More ...