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Now it's the home side's turn to come forward, Simon Hammersley almost finding a tiny gap down the left-hand side.

They've come back inside now, up to the five-metre line... But London Irish have turned it over and have the penalty! Fantastic defence from the Exiles.

A huge round of applause from both sets of supporters as Kyle Eastmond was taken off, by the way. Eastmond is receiving oxygen on the side of the pitch. Let's hope he's OK.

The action on the pitch is back under way...

The Bath physios are taking their time over Kyle Eastmond. The 26-year-old is being put onto a stretcher and the ambulance staff are readying themselves for action at the side of the pitch.

London Irish are back into Newcastle territory now, up to the 22-metre line, but they concede a penalty when a man in a green shirt - I'm not sure who - at the bottom of a pile of bodies fails to release the ball.

Twenty-five minutes to go at Kingston Park.

Worrying scenes at the AJ Bell Stadium with Bath centre Kyle Eastmond needing attention from both sets of club physios following a tackle by Will Addison. 

Addison's challenge was perfectly legal, but the England international is not looking in a particularly good way.

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That's more like it from the Exiles, stringing a few phases together and making it up to Newcastle's five-metre line. However, when they spread the ball to the right-hand side it's knocked on and the Falcons are able to clear their lines.

Bath will have to play out these final few minutes with 14 men. Off the line-out, Sale get a driving maul, win the penalty and Bath lock Dominic Day gets shown a yellow card.

Having conceded a penalty in the next phase of play, Juan Pablo Socino is tasked with splitting the posts and stretching Newcastle's lead out to seven points.

That's pretty much an eight-point swing after Asaeli Tikoirotuma's aberration with the line at his mercy.

A penny for this man's thoughts?

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Sale replacement Brian Mujati makes a great break into the Bath 22, but Amanaki Mafi stops a certain try and wins his side a penalty. Sale get the ball back, win another penalty, and this time Danny Cipriani - possibly on the advice of Steve Diamond - kicks for touch instead of the posts.

And immediately London Irish should be ahead!

Alex Lewington fends off a challenge down the left and tees up Asaeli Tikoirotuma for a 10-metre finish out wide... But some reason the replacement opts to check back and try to pass infield, which goes astray. Why didn't he just take on the man?

Another poor, poor decision by the Exiles in attack.

What is going on with the kicking here?! Danny Cipriani now misses another penalty.

No-one wants to win it.

Shane Geraghty, on as a replacement for the injured Greig Tonks, boots the second half back under way.

Bath are on top here and almost break through the Sale defence through Matt Banahan, and despite stopping him, the defence give away a very kickable penalty to George Ford.

Somehow, though, Ford misses it. Bath are doing everything to give this game to Sale...

Bath are penalised for not rolling away in their own half. Danny Cipriani thinks he can deal with the gusty wind at the AJ Bell Stadium and kicks for the posts, but despite having the legs, it doesn't have the accuracy.

Could he live to regret the decision to kick for points instead of touch?

Bath are dominating at the the scrum at the moment, and another strong one helps draw them level.

George Ford takes advantage of the dark arts from his forwards and kicks his fourth successful attempt of the match.

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And that's us for the opening period.

There's not been a huge amount in it in terms of possession and territory, but Newcastle Falcons just look a more dangerous proposition with ball in hand. A better side, to put it bluntly.

Marcus Watson's try has been the difference in terms of points, but it's still all to play for.

My word, what a tackle this is. A try-saving tackle, no less.

Having wriggled their way all the way up to London Irish's five-metre line, wing Alex Tait looks for all the world like he will dot the ball down... Only for Andrew Fenby to brilliantly hold him short and then push him into touch.

Another big moment? We're into the final minute of the half.