Wasps sting late to down Newcastle Falcons

Lima Sopoaga’s long-range penalty capped an impressive second-half rally as Wasps recorded a 23-22 victory at Newcastle Falcons on Friday.

Despite struggling off the tee in the first half, when he missed a penalty and a conversion attempt, Sopoaga slotted over the winning kick with eight minutes remaining in the Premiership contest at Kingston Park.

The fly-half had also put his boot to good use in open play too, setting up his team’s opening try with a grubber to the corner that allowed winger Josh Bassett to dive on the loose ball.

However, Mark Wilson finished a wonderful team move down Newcastle’s left, Sinoti Sinoti sending a pass back on the inside to set up his team-mate, as the hosts hit back to take control.

Johnny Williams touched down twice for the Falcons, who led 22-13 with an hour played despite Wasps winger Marcus Watson crossing just before the break.

Yet Wasps found a way to battle back and record a third successive league victory, Juan De Jongh picking the right line to cut through the Newcastle defence and score.

Sopoaga’s simple conversion cut the gap to two but the New Zealand international was made to work harder with his match-winning strike, finding the target from distance to complete the comeback.

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