Falcons did their country proud

Oct 22 2007 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

WORLD Cup fever hit Kingston Park on Saturday evening as more than 300 people travelled to the home of the Newcastle Falcons to watch England defend their crown.

Crammed into the East Stand, spectators cheered every well-timed tackle, darting run and South African fumble, holding their breath each time Jonny Wilkinson took aim.

Awash with the red and white of St George from early afternoon, The Hiding Place Sports and Lounge bar did its best to pump up an already passionate crowd.

Replaying England’s most spectacular triumph from four years ago in Australia on the big screen, everyone was dreaming of bringing the cup back home.

But it was not to be.

As the curtain came down on England’s brave campaign, it was controversial refereeing which had fans on their feet, not last-gasp heroics from Falcon fly-half Wilkinson.

When Mark Cueto grounded the ball early into the second half Kingston Park erupted.

But after three agonising minutes of deliberation from the video official, the winger’s trailing foot was deemed to have touched the line – sparking uproar.

Daniel Monk, of Kingston Park, was outraged by the decision and felt it was one of a series of refereeing blunders to go against the English.

The 32-year-old nurse said: “I think the officials need to have a long hard look at themselves.

“The try came at a crucial point of the match and if given it would have been a different kettle of fish.

“Admittedly we made errors which didn’t help but I think ultimately we lost the game because the referee has had a bad game.”

Likewise, Kevin Rowan, 43, of Eaglescliffe, Stockton, was incensed with some of the decisions.

“The whole game hinged on the try, which should have been given. We are obviously going to be biased but I thought his feet were inside the line. I think we were robbed.”

However, having suffered a 36-0 drubbing from the Springboks in the pool stage, reaching the final was more than most expected.

Alaine Robinson, 45, a hairdresser of Denton Burn, said: “It was great to see everyone getting behind England and the atmosphere was absolutely fantastic.

“I don’t think we deserved to lose the match but considering no one gave us a chance of doing anything in the tournament we can be delighted with their performances.

“We proved everyone wrong in this World Cup and showed exactly why we are still one of the best rugby playing nations in the world.”

Among the crowd was chairman of the Newcastle Falcons Supporters Club, Martin Peagam, who was particularly impressed with the efforts of the Newcastle contingent.

The 48-year-old of Stockton said: “Jonny Wilkinson was his usual brilliant self. The young players have been magnificent and the forwards did great.

“I think the Falcons lads were great. Toby Flood was superb when he came on in the middle of the game and Matt Tait was outstanding throughout.

“Jamie Noon was unlucky to be ruled out so early on in the campaign. It would have been nice to have fielded four Falcons players who were World Cup winners.

“I thought they did very well. They did us proud.”