European Challenge Cup - Round 5
Newcastle Falcons edged nearer the last eight hwith a 16-14 come-from-behind win at Albi. Fly-half Jimmy Gopperth completed the Falcons' impressive second-half comeback by converting Josh Afu's try seven minutes from time to snatch a crucial away victory at Stade Municipal. The result stretches Newcastle's lead at the top of Pool Five to seven points over Montauban, who play tomorrow, before the final group matches next week.
Newcastle know victory over Italian minnows Petrarca at Kingston Park next weekend will guarantee their place in the last eight of the Challenge Cup for the fifth year in a row. However, they were made to work hard for the victory against Albi, who occupy a lowly position in France's Top 14. Penalties from Gopperth and Albi's Blair Stewart, a last-minute replacement at fly-half before kick-off, saw the teams level 6-6 at half-time.
However a try swiftly after the break by replacement Yogane Correa handed Albi a lead they would hold onto until late on. Stewart cancelled out Gopperth's third penalty before flanker Afu finished a blistering Falcons attack to level the scores 14-14 ahead of Gopperth's conversion.
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