Newcastle Falcons 18-17 Ospreys

Newcastle (13) 18
Tries: Fielden 2 Cons: Gopperth Pens: Gopperth 2
Ospreys (6) 17
Tries: Owen Pens: Morgan 4

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Fielden joined Newcastle from Bedford in the summer

Newcastle held off a late Ospreys fightback to ensure their LV= Cup campaign began with a victory.

Luke Fielden's try and two Jimmy Gopperth penalties gave the hosts a 13-0 lead before Matthew Morgan kicked two place kicks to reduce the deficit.

Gareth Owen touched down to further cut the Falcons' lead but Fielden went over again to seemingly settle it.

Two Morgan kicks got Ospreys to within a point, and they could have won had Matthew Jarvis' kick not hit the bar.

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Newcastle: Manning; Fielden, Fitzpatrick, Eves, Amesbury; Gopperth, Pilgrim; Shiels, Graham, Brookes, Levi, Townson; B. Wilson, Williamson, M. Wilson.

Replacements: Henderson for Fielden (69), Young for Pilgrim (61), Ward for Shiels (69), Crombie for Graham (61), Hall for Brookes (61), Swinson for Townson (61), Welch for Williamson (3), Pennycook for M. Wilson (66).

Ospreys: B. Davies; K. Phillips, John, Beck, Fussell; Morgan, Webb; D. Jones, M. Davies, Mitchell, McInerney, Evans; King, Tipuric, Smith.

Replacements: Owen for B. Davies (41), Isaacs for Fussell (54), Jarvis for Morgan (71), Baldwin for M. Davies (71), Griffiths for Mitchell (54), Goode for McInerney (66).
Not Used: Rees, Lloyd.

Attendance: 3,307

Referee: Tim Wigglesworth (RFU).