Harlequins vs Newcastle Falcons: Quins win with acrobatics at The Stoop
It was a high-scoring homecoming for Marcus Smith, as Harlequins hosted Newcastle Falcons in round four of the Gallagher Premiership, winning 40-12.
Tyrone Green and Louis Lynagh both touched down in style, as Quins dominated their opposition at The Stoop.
Further scores for the hosts were added by Nick David, Alex Dombrandt, Dino Lamb, and Sam Riley – while Jamie Blamire and a penalty try claimed Falcons’ only points of the day.
Early pressure from Newcastle was not enough against a powerful Harlequins side.
An easy penalty attempt missed by Falcons’ flyhalf Rory Jennings set the tone for the Geordies, who could not find a way into the game.
Quins’ set piece dominance was clear early on, crushing the Newcastle scrum against the head.
Falcons’ Bryan Byrne saw yellow for a deliberate knock-on inside his side’s 22, leading Riley to be mauled over for Quins’ first try of the afternoon.
A moment of magic from Tyrone Green saw the South African jive his way deep into the Falcons’ half.
This followed a cheeky Jarrod Evans chip that helped to set up the Italian lock, Lamb, to crash over besides the posts.
After a quick check by the TMO David was awarded Quins’ last try of the half, crawling over the line – the sides going in 21-0 at the break.
Repeated scrum penalties in front of the Newcastle try-line allowed Quins’ captain Dombrandt to crash over for the bonus point.
Minutes later, Lynagh gracefully soared into the corner on his 50th Harlequins’ cap.
It was a defensive homecoming for World Cup stars Joe Marler and Marcus Smith, coming on from the bench.
Try-scorer Lamb was sent to the sin bin, as the hosts roughed a period of punches from Newcastle, before being awarded a penalty try.
More acrobatics on the wing as the impact of Smith was felt, a cross-field kick finding the arms of Tyrone Green, who flew into the right-hand corner, Smith adding the extras from the touchline.
Newcastle claimed a late consolation try through Blamire, finally converting pressure into points.
Newcastle remain bottom of the Premiership, as Quins make it three consecutive wins.
