Carl Hayman hails Falcons teamwork as key to success

Nov 3 2009 by Nick Purewal, The Journal

“Anything we achieve we’ll do so as a team, not as a group of individuals playing well, so it’s important that what we do suits and benefits everyone.

“That’s why it’s great the guys are coming forward and being more vocal and commanding generally and it’s paying off, I think.”

Newcastle’s two league wins in as many weeks could not have been more contrasting.

Going from the four-try south west fun that was Bath to Sunday’s slug-fest in the North East gales, must certainly have shocked the Falcons into the realisation that winter is already here.

While grinding out a win in tricky conditions might have given Hayman more cause to smile, the imposing tighthead prop said he could not separate the pair of wins in terms of importance.

“Both wins are as pleasing as each other,” he said, sporting the facial contusions and abrasions of an unforgiving encounter.

“Last week against Bath it was pretty special and Sunday was a completely different type of game.

“In completely different conditions the guys adapted really well, and we ground out a really good win. It was very tough on Sunday, both teams had a lot to play for and that was one of the most physical games we’ve had this season.

“It was frustrating not to pick up another score in the first half, we had a lot of time in their half and a fair amount of possession.

“The second half was pretty scrappy from our point of view but really, we’re just happy to come away with the four points.

“The boys had a tough day at the office, we knew Worcester would come out and give everything.

“They have had a bit of a hard time with people putting them down and as usual teams in that situation tend to bounce back.

“We were aware of that before the game and that they would pose a real challenge.

“We were in a pretty similar position before the Albi game a few weeks ago where we had played pretty poorly away and faced some pretty fair criticism about the way we had played.

“So as teams do at that time tend to look inward, so did we, and we came out fighting, and Worcester certainly did that on Sunday.

“It was crucial to get the win and keep accumulating points with the Anglo-Welsh games next up.”