Vyvyan hails flying Falcons

Report: Falcons 37-33 Sharks Photos from Twickenham

Newcastle captain Hugh Vyvyan saluted his Falcons team-mates after lifting the Powergen Cup following a dramatic 37-33 win over Sale at Twickenham.

"It is unbelievable," said Vyvyan, who heads to Saracens next season. "It was such a good performance from the lads.

"We kept on going behind but we kept on coming back at them and I am just glad we won in the end. It feels fantastic.

"All the lads played fantastically and I thought our forwards were outstanding. I am so happy."

It was an emotional victory for Vyvyan in particular, in one of his final games for the club.

"I have had eight years at this club and made so many good friends," Vyvyan added.

"We have all grown up together over the last few years and this is the best feeling."

We were just magnificent, but so were Sale Falcons boss Rob Andrew

It was the Falcons' second dramatic Cup victory in four years, after pipping Harlequins 30-27 with a last-gasp try in the 2001 final.

"We did it once before and it was almost an identical situation," noted director of rugby Rob Andrew. "What a game - it was just fantastic.

"I am elated although I feel for the Sale boys. But it was a brilliant Cup final and we have done it again. It is just astonishing.

"Last time it came down to the last play of the game but this match was as good, if not better. We were just magnificent, but so were Sale."

Fly-half Dave Walder, who kicked 17 points, admitted to a sense of relief as Newcastle gained the added bonus of a place in next season's Heineken Cup.

"We have worked really hard but our season has been pretty disappointing up to now," he said.

"But we knew if we won, we were in Europe so it is a massive result.

"I didn't play particularly well but the team dug deep when we needed to. It is fantastic for the whole squad."