Late penalty puts paid to Newcastle comeback

A LATE penalty saw Newcastle Red Bulls defeated in Friday's PREM Rugby Cup encounter at Kingston Park, as Leicester Tigers maintained their unbeaten start to the tournament.

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Brett Connon thought he had snatched victory for the Red Bulls, only for his opposite number to slot the crucial kick in the dying stages.

Just five minutes had elapsed when the home side raced into the lead, a sequence of red-zone penalties ending with a try for skipper Ollie Fletcher when a close-range tap was worked to the right-hand side.

It would prove to be the only score of the half as both sides showed plenty of energy, but failed to turn their field position into points.

The Red Bulls enjoyed the better of territory and possession as Oscar Usher, Freddie Lockwood and Stefan Coetzee made yards with ball in hand, while Ollie Leatherbarrow’s eager jackal work delivered a defensive penalty for the Northeasterners.