Crucial wins for Sale, Newcastle and Wasps

RUGBY NEWS: NEWCASTLE OUTHALF Jonny Wilkinson reclaimed the English Premiership all-time scoring record to help the Falcons pile the misery on basement club Bristol. Wilkinson kicked seven points in Newcastle's 17-3 home win to reach 1,487 league points and surpass former Leicester outhalf Andy Goode's mark.

Meanwhile, Sale became the first side in English Premiership history to play four successive matches without conceding a try with a 23-9 home victory over Gloucester last night.

Gloucester failed to offer much in the way of an attacking threat, despite fielding the likes of Ryan Lamb, Olly Barkley and Lesley Vainikolo, who looked a pale shadow of the player who used to terrorise Super League defences for Bradford Bulls.

The defending Premiership champions Wasps came from 13-9 down to secure their first win of the season after producing a dogged second-half comeback against high-flying Leicester. The defending Premiership champions eventually prevailed 28-19 at Welford Road.

Meanwhile, Ireland flanker Neil Best will not play in Northampton's Premiership clash against Saracens today as he prepares to face English Rugby Football Union disciplinary chiefs.

Best was originally named in an unchanged Saints line-up around midday yesterday, but, barely six hours later, the club announced he would not be involved at Vicarage Road after all.

Best was cited for alleged foul play during Northampton's victory over Wasps last weekend. The 29-year-old flanker must answer a charge that he made contact with the eye or eye area of the Wasps and England backrow star James Haskell.

In the Magners League last night, Newport-Gwent Dragons climbed up the league table as they clung on for a 11-9 victory over Edinburgh at Rodney Parade. The Scotsmen were left to rue errors and an inability to break a stubborn resistance.

And, at Firhill, Thom Evans was the star as Glasgow Warriors shook off their slumbers to defeat Scarlets 34-20.

Another dose of gloom had looked on the cards as Glasgow made a disastrous start but wing Evans lit up Firhill with a marvellous two-try display which propelled them to a crucial bonus point.