Leeds win basement battle

A dramatic last-gasp drop goal from fly-half Adrian Jarvis helped Leeds off the foot of the table with a 30-29 victory at Newcastle.

This result means the North East outfit replace the Yorkshire side at the bottom of the Aviva Premiership.

In a tense and enthralling encounter which saw the lead change hands several times, Jarvis was the hero kicking 15 points to go alongside tries from Steve Thompson, Pete Wackett and Gareth Hardy to lift them into 11th for the first time this season.

Fly-half Jimmy Gopperth thought he had won it for Newcastle with a penalty four minutes from time but the away team had other ideas.

Leeds made the brighter start to this potential relegation decider, but it was the hosts who opened the scoring. Gopperth, with his ever reliable boot, put Newcastle three points up before they scored the opening try of the match in the 17th minute.

Gopperth's half-back partner Micky Young went over with the fly-off adding the extras.

Despite their disastrous start, Leeds replied through hooker Thompson, Jarvis converting but Newcastle responded with another Gopperth three pointer.

Full-back Jeremy Manning then gave the Falcons what seemed to be a comfortable advantage when he touched down for a converted try.

However, Leeds once again responded with a score from winger Wackett, Jarvis converting, to leave the match finely balanced at 20-14 at the break.

Jarvis got the second half off to the perfect start for the Yorkshire side when he converted a penalty opportunity before sustained pressure close to the Newcastle line eventually saw prop Hardy go over, the pivot converting.

New Zealander Gopperth then kicked two penalties to put the Falcons two points ahead with 12 minutes remaining.

Leeds went back in front through a Jarvis drop-kick but a penalty from the hosts' stand-off saw the lead change hands once again.

But with just a minute remaining Jarvis kicked another drop-goal to boost their survival hopes.

The scorers:

For Newcastle:
Tries: Manning, Young
Cons: Gopperth 2
Pens: Gopperth 5

For Leeds:
Tries: Hardy, Thompson, Wackett
Cons: Jarvis 3
Pens: Jarvis
Drops: Jarvis 2

Newcastle: 15 Jeremy Manning, 14 Luke Fielden, 13 Luke Eves, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Alex Tait, 10 Jimmy Gopperth (c), 9 Micky Young, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Will Welch, 6 Mark Wilson, 5 Andrew Van Der Heijden, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Matt Thompson, 1 Jonny Golding.
Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Grant Shiells, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Filipo Levi, 20 Alex Gray, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 Gcobani Bobo, 23 Rob Vickerman.

Leeds: 15 Michael Stephenson, 14 Lee Blackett, 13 Henry Faafili, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Peter Wackett, 10 Adrian Jarvis, 9 Scott Mathie, 8 Alfie To'oala, 7 Hendre Fourie, 6 Kearnan Myall, 5 Marco Wentzel (c), 4 Daniel Browne, 3 Phil Swainston, 2 Steve Thompson, 1 Gareth Hardy.
Replacements: 16 Phil Nilsen, 17 Gareth Denman, 18 Juan Gomez, 19 Rhys Oakley, 20 Danny Paul, 21 Dan White, 22 Christian Lewis-Pratt, 23 Semi Tadulala.

Referee: Andrew Small