Connacht are swept away by Flood

 European Challenge Cup quarter-final/Newcastle Falcons 23 Connacht 3: The Fields of Athenry was heard only once by the 4,486 crowd. That was after 15 minutes and, despite a typically valiant effort from Michael Bradley's men, it simply wasn't meant to be.

They met a team last night who matched them for hunger to win in the Challenge Cup - the Falcons have their own domestic problems. Newcastle also possess a sprinkling of world-class individuals.

Every rugby person has heard of Matt Burke but Jamie Noon and Toby Flood look capable of replicating last night's brilliant form in an England jersey in the not-too-distant future.

Newcastle outhalf Dave Walder sat on the bench for England against Ireland in the Six Nations. He may have to get used to the splinters because English under-21 international Flood showed regular glimpses of his vast potential.

Flood got the Falcons off the mark with a penalty after nine minutes before crossing for the most opportunistic of tries. It was daylight robbery from a Connacht perspective.

Up until then, everything was going to plan. French referee Eric Darriere was constantly penalising the home team at the breakdown on their own ball. The Connacht pack had twice gained significant yardage with their maul and, a bustling Noon aside, looked more dangerous out wide.

Then came a ruck 20 yards inside the Newcastle half. Suddenly Flood, blatantly offside, picked up the ball and ran. With only secondrow David Gannon and prop Stephen Knoop for company he wisely opted to punt the ball. Knoop gave chase all the way to the line but Flood's soccer skills allowed him nudge it clear of the prop before sliding over.

Darriere referred the grounding to Television Match Official (TMO) Daniel Gillet, who took just seconds to award the score. Flood's routine while slotting a conversion from the touchline looked very similar to another outhalf who plies his trade at Kingston Park.

Jonny Wilkinson would also have been proud of the youngster's second, expertly struck, penalty on 23 minutes. 13-0 but Connacht didn't look dead yet.

Paul Warwick, who along with centre Keith Matthews passed a late fitness test, missed a difficult penalty before reducing the deficit after the Newcastle defence strayed offside.

Just on half-time, Burke looked certain to score but the pass that set him free was adjudged forward.

Noon was undoubtedly Newcastle's trump card. The international centre was making his first start since suffering concussion against Ireland at Twickenham. He always shimmied out of the first tackle and nearly split Andrew Mailei in two with a hit that surely reminded the Tongan of his island days.

Mark McHugh also made a tasty break in open play but the final offload failed to stick. The incessant rain made sure it was that kind of night.

Falcons director of rugby Rob Andrew upped the intensity by refreshing his front row for the second half with Robbie Morris and Andy Long replacing Jonny Williams and Matt Thompson. Bradley's replacements were more enforced than tactical.

Conor McPhillips limped ashore on 51 minutes to be replaced by David Slemen, with Keith Matthews rerouted to the wing, but within three minutes Slemen was also helped to the line.

Warwick sent a few probing kicks out to the wing but it seemed only a matter of time. Colin Charvis had his pack picking and driving at every opportunity. Still, it took most of the second period before the hammer fell. And keeping with the tone of the night it was a cruel blow as former Connacht flanker Mike McCarthy peeled off a ruck to crash over.

True to form, Flood added the extras and a subsequent penalty as replacement Michael Swift headed to the sinbin. Pride intact but season largely over.

SCORING SEQUENCE: 9 mins: T Flood pen, 3-0; 17: T Flood try, 8-0; T Flood con, 10-0; T Flood pen, 13-0; 37: 13-3. Half-time. 64: M McCarthy try, 18-3; T Flood con, 20-3; 75: T Flood pen, 23-3.

NEWCASTLE FALCONS: M Burke; T May, J Noon, M Mayerhofler, A Elliott; T Flood, H Charlton; J Williams, M Thompson, M Ward, L Gross, G Parling, M McCarthy, C Harris, C Charvis (capt). Replacements: R Morris for Williams, A Long for Thompson (both half-time), J Grindal for Charlton (48 mins), A Perry for Gross (60 mins), B Woods for Harris (72 mins), D Walder for Elliott (35 mins), O Finegan for Parling (81 mins), Williams for Ward (85 mins).

CONNACHT: M McHugh; M Mostyn, A Mailei, K Mathews, C McPhillips; P Warwick, C Keane; R Hogan, J Fogarty, S Knoop, D Gannon, A Farley (capt), J Muldoon, M Lacey, C Rigney. Replacements: C Short for Gannon (45 mins), D Slemen for McPhilips (51 mins, inj), G Williams for Slemem (54 mins, inj), T Tierney for Keane (68 mins), M Swift for Rigney, A Clarke for Knoop (Both 70 mins), J Merrigan for Fogarty (80 mins).

Referee: Eric Darriere (France).