London Wasps escaped the drop and despite defeat celebrated like champions and were boosted by Dai Young who confirmed he would remain with Wasps next season in a post-match interview.
The nerves were evident throughout the first half as the scoreboard remained at 0-0 up until the 36th minute when Nicky Robinson converted the game's first penalty. Runs from Wasps’dangerous line of backs came to nothing and Gopperth uncharacteristically missed easy kicks.
The game livened up in the second period of the game with tries from both teams and Newcastle were ahead with three minutes to go but couldn't escape relegation.
A blistering early run from youngster Christian Wade startled Newcastle and gave them a taste of what they expect for the remaining 80 minutes.
The scoreboard remained unchanged for the opening ten minutes and Newcastle experienced an early stutter when Gopperth missed his first penalty attempt. Nicky Robinson matched his opposite ten with a long-range penalty miss on the fifteen minute mark.
The points rolled in late in the second half for the hosts as Robinson kicked the opening penalty four minutes from the break. Another intense run from Haughton and a pass out wide to Wade sent the youngster on his way to the game’s opening try.
The real Falcons Fight Back began after the sinbinning of Ben Broster for Wasps. Fitzpatrick showed immense strength to drag himself over the line with two Wasps defenders clinging to him. Gopperth couldn’t manage the conversion leaving the visitors trailing by three points.
More nervous moments crept into the game as Robinson missed a penalty for the host team but as time ticked on all of Newcastle’s hope of survival seemed to wither away as ten minutes from time Wasps still held the lead.
Swinson looked to have engineered a consolation try for Newcastle but spirits were further dampened when the TMO dismissed the attempt. Opportunistic Peter Stringer darted under the Wasps defenders to provide Newcastle with a late score and Gopperth took a quick conversion but with three minutes left, Newcastle's hopes were still minimal.
The match ended emotionally but both teams showed mutual appreciation towards each other at the final whistle.
Scores: 3-0 Robinson pen, 8-0 Wade try, 10-0 Robinson con, 10-7 Fitzpatrick try, 10-12 Stringer try, 10-14 Gopperth con
London Wasps: Haughton; Wade, Daly, Waldouck, Varndell; Robinson, Davies; Payne, Lindsay, Broster; Birkett, Wentzel (capt); Launchbury, Jones, Vunipola.
Yellow cards: Ben Broster (53 mins)
Newcastle Falcons: Goosen; Uys, Helleur, Fitzpatrick, Shortland; Gopperth, Stringer; Golding, Vickers, Murray; Hudson, Swinson; Hogg, Welch, Balding.
Referee: W Barnes (RFU)
5 May 2012
