PUT to the sword by the invitation side Samurai International, plucky Newcastle Falcons just failed to cut the right Middlesex Sevens dash.
Coach Mark Laycock’s impressive side dispatched Leicester Tigers and Help for Heroes on their way to the semi-final &ndash but when they squared up to star-studded Samurai they came up just short. With England Sevens great Simon Amor skippering, the Samurai boasted a wealth of the modern short-format’s big names and dangermen, not least the Kenyan contingent. But despite giving ground on the rap sheet, the Falcons belied the form guide to sneak into a deserved early lead. Playmaker Rob Miller opened the scoring &ndash but then the invitational side barged right back into the contest, Kenyan Collins Injera racing home. After the break the Falcons once again found themselves scoring first, Charlie Amesbury capping a fine day with a great support line to finish good work from skipper Rob Vickerman. Former Leeds man Vickerman made a clean break but crucially shrugged off Injera when the paceman ran him down.
Miller added the extras to bring the Falcons within two points, but then Injera crossed again to restore the lead.