The Reds had a disappointing finish to the pool stages of this season’s Championship Cup, coming away empty-handed from a freezing afternoon at Kingston Park.
Four first-half tries for hosts Newcastle Falcons put the game out of the visitors’ reach, although to their credit they did manage to stem the flow in the second-half, which finished 12-7 in favour of the home side.
The Falcons advance to the quarter-finals as pool winners and will play their quarter-final at home; the Reds meanwhile face a road trip, with Ealing, Nottingham and Cornish Pirates the possible destinations on the weekend of February 22 – the draw will be confirmed this week by England Rugby.
Lock forward Sean Robinson showed his ability as a winger to touch down twice in the corner for the first two tries, and then skipper George McGuigan crossed from a driving maul. The bonus point was in the bag for the Falcons just before the break as Josh Matavesi motored through.
The Reds had glimpses of potential, but a wobbly lineout and the power of the home side meant it was 26-0 at the break. It looked ominous for the visitors as Falcons added another try soon after the resumption with Ben Stevenson crossing in the corner from Matavesi’s cut-out pass.
TJ Harris claimed the Jersey try from a rolling maul before the hosts had the last word from replacement hooker Jamie Blamire.
The Reds face their final game of 2019 at Stade Santander International next Saturday when London Scottish are the visitors for a Greene King IPA Championship match that will kick off at 2pm.
/*pic by Simon Hall*/
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 George Wacokecoke, 12 Josh Matavesi (Gareth Owen, 54), 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Toby Flood (Joel Hodgson, 62), 9 Sonatane Takulua (Sam Stuart, 71); 1 Sam Lockwood (Adam Brocklebank, 54), 2 George McGuigan (captain, Jamie Blamire, 54), 3 Mark Tampin (Mike Daniels, 54), 4 Darren Barry, 5 Sean Robinson (Sebastian de Chaves, 59), 6 Gary Graham, 7 Will Welch, 8 Philip van der Walt (Callum Chick, 71).
Falcons scorers - Tries: Sean Robinson 2, George McGuigan, Josh Matavesi, Ben Stevenson, Jamie Blamire. Conversions: Toby Flood 3, Joel Hodgson.
Jersey Reds: 15 Auguy Slowik, 14 Alex Morgan (Jack Stapley, 51), 13 James Newey, 12 Rodney Iona, 11 Leroy Van Dam, 10 Aaron Penberthy (Greg Dyer, 40), 9 Liam Howley (Will Homer, 47); 1 James Wayland (Harry Morley, 40), 2 Nic Dolly (TJ Harris, 47), 3 Leeroy Atalifo (Alec Clarey, 40), 4 Liam Hallam-Eames (Max Argyle, 51), 5 Rory Bartle, 6 Kyle Hatherell, 7 Jake Upfield, 8 Janco Venter (captain).
Jersey scorers - Tries: TJ Harris. Conversions: Greg Dyer.
Referee: Neil Chivers. Attendance: 3,571.
