Victory had been coming - Dickens

NEWCASTLE head coach Alan Dickens said a long-awaited first Gallagher Prem win of the season had been on the cards after the Red Bulls clinched a 25-19 victory over Gloucester.

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Dicken praised a “fantastic” performance after his side’s Friday-night triumph at Kingston Park.

George McGuigan and Tom Christie went over for the hosts either side of yellow cards for Jamie Hodgson and Arthur Clark before Ollie Thorley replied for Gloucester.

Brett Connon’s penalty gave Newcastle a 15-5 lead at the break and Simon Benitez Cruz grounded shortly after the restart to extend their advantage further.

Thorley was shown red for Gloucester before Connon kicked another penalty, and Newcastle withstood a late fightback after converted tries from Mikey Austin and Ciaran Knight suddenly closed the gap from 25-5 to 25-19.