-
Newcastle 24 Worcester 14
Adam Radwan might like to add the role of super-contortionist to his burgeoning CV after the Newcastle winger underlined his international potential to help maintain Newcastle’s slim hopes of qualifying for Europe.
Yorkshire-bred of Egyptian stock, the fleet-footed 23-year-old was the last opponent rock-bottom Worcester needed to find themselves up against in a chastening campaign which cannot come to an end soon enough for the sorry Warriors.
With two stunning first half-tries, the laws of physiology-defying first in particular one for his growing show-reel of spectacular finishes, Radwan again caught the eye as England head coach Eddie Jones ponders his options for the summer internationals against the USA and Canada at Twickenham next month.
Dean Richards, the Newcastle director of rugby who is normally loath to single out individuals, said: “There aren’t many players in English rugby who can finish like Adam did today, so I’m sure Eddie’s having a very good look at him. The first 20 minutes is probably as well as we’ve played this season.”
Radwan’s heroics helped the Falcons build-up a decisive 17-point lead inside the first quarter. Some slick work from the backs allowed the winger to produce a finish of which any contortion artist would be proud as he touched down in the corner while in mid-air. The exuberant reaction of his team-mates underlined the outstanding nature of the athleticism they had witnessed.
Picking up his own chip and chase on the opposite wing to register his second try seemed almost mundane in comparison, though it was nevertheless another outstandingly assured finish from the boy born in an Osmotherley post office, who continues to deliver thrilling rugby.
In between, hooker George McGuigan finished off a bruising 25-metre driving maul as the hosts posted three consecutive home wins for the first time since 2018. Sean Robinson exposed some more end of term covering to rumble over for the bonus-point try midway through the second-half, only Newcastle’s second of the season, but one which could prove crucial to their hopes of sneaking into the Champions Cup.
After an 11th consecutive defeat, the Warriors are left with the final day visit by Gloucester on Saturday in their efforts to match on the pitch the two ‘wins’ awarded to them by the Premiership Rugby Panel following Covid-19 cancellations this season.
Their only victory came on the opening day in November, and it has been pretty much downhill from there. It was an afternoon to forget for Sam Lewis and Graham Kitchener on their 100th appearances for the club as late converted tries from Jamie Shillcock and captain Ted Hill, another impressive England hopeful, papered over the cracks.
Jonathan Thomas, the Worcester head coach who replaced his entire front row after 25 minutes, said: “We finished strongly but it’s about the whole 80 minutes. In the first-half especially we were really poor and second best in most areas.”
Match details
Scores: 5-0 Radwan try, 10-0 McGuigan try, 12-0 Connon con, 17-0 Radwan try, 22-0 Robinson try, 24-0 Connon con, 24-5 Shillcock try, 24-7 Weir con, 24-12 Hill try, 24-14 Shillcock con.
Newcastle: J Hodgson; A Radwan, M Orlando (C Obonna 39), L Burrell, G Wacokecoke; B Connon (A Tait 68), L Schreuder (M Young 54); A Brocklebank (K Cooper 63), G McGuigan (J Blamire 63), T Davison (R Ah You 63), G Peterson (P van der Walt 65), S Robinson, W Welch, M Wilson (C Ferns 67), C Chick.
Yellow card: Blamire
Worcester: J Shillcock; P Humphreys (H Doel 42), O Lawrence, F Venter, N Heward; D Weir (A Hearle 73), F Hougaard (G Simpson 54); M Thomas (N Annett 26), B Cutting (E Walker 26), J Tyack (N Schonert 26), T Hill, G Kitchener (J Clegg 63), T Dodd (G van Velze 56), S Lewis, M Kvesic.
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)