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Try-scoring Leigh Halfpenny stars as Harlequins see off Newcastle
By PA
Leigh Halfpenny celebrated a first Gallagher Premiership try as Harlequins picked up a 28-14 bonus-point victory over Newcastle at Twickenham Stoop. The former Wales and Lions Test star joined the Londoners in the summer after completing the Super Rugby Pacific season with Crusaders in New Zealand.
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Halfpenny, capped 101 times by his country, showed his experience and skill in the west London sunshine, helping his new side bounce back from last weekend’s agonising one-point loss to Sale Sharks. The dynamic former Cardiff, Toulon and Scarlets man was on hand to take the pass from young wing Cassius Cleaves to race over for Quins’ third try.
After conceding an early try to the visitors, Marcus Smith kicked four conversions to help seal what became a relatively straightforward victory for Quins. For Newcastle, however, it was their second Premiership defeat of the new season and 23rd in a row. It is now 554 days since they last savoured a taste of league success with a win over Gloucester in March 2023.
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Falcons, who lost fly-half Brett Connon to injury in the warm-up with Ethan Grayson taking his place, struck the first blow after five minutes. Lock John Hawkins rounded off a series of phases as Newcastle surged up field to charge over and Grayson converted. However, that was as good as it got for the visitors as Quins woke from their stupor and took firm control,
Hooker Nathan Jibulu began the recovery as he powered over for their opening try with their first real attack of the contest. Falcons wing Adam Radwan left the field for an HIA, which he passed, and Quins took the lead with flanker Will Evans forcing his way over from close range.
Smith converted and did the same when another cutting, decisive Quins attack saw wing Cleaves show off his pace before slipping the ball to Halfpenny to surge over the line to put Quins 21-7 ahead at half-time. The home side had the bonus point sewed up just a minute into the second half with Will Porter’s try after Cleaves and Oscar Beard combined to put him over.
Falcons lost full-back Elliott Obatoyinbo to the sin bin for a high tackle on Halfpenny but they responded positively with a strong break up-field and replacement Ben Redshaw produced a diving finish for a try converted by Grayson.
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Halfpenny had another try ruled out for offside in the build-up while Falcons tried hard to work their way back into the contest, but were unable to create enough try-scoring opportunities to avoid enduring another frustrating defeat.
Is that SHOT of the weekend?!
Marcus Smith with a monster hit at the death ?#GallagherPrem | #HARvNEW pic.twitter.com/z6DqNaDa2W
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) September 28, 2024
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Soooo happy to see Halfpenny playing again!!!