Challenge Cup: Stade Francais 31-24 Newcastle Falcons

Newcastle remain top of their pool despite their defeat

Stade Francais ended Newcastle Falcons' 100% record in the European Challenge Cup with a late victory at the Stade Jean-Bouin.

Tries from Krisnan Inu, Paul Williams, Djibril Camara and Remi Bonfils, along with a penalty try, earned Stade a try bonus.

Juan Pablo Socino, Simon Hammersley and Mark Wilson replied for Falcons, who picked up a losing bonus point.

Falcons have won three and lost one in Pool Three.

The visitors got off to a flying start with a try inside six minutes when Socino burst on to an offload from Mark Wilson after Morne Steyn's kick was charged down.

However Stade, dominant at the ruck area, responded with power out wide that led to tries from Inu, Williams and Camara.

Falcons clawed their way back into the game when Noah Cato found space and offloaded to the supporting Hammersley who touched down to the left of the posts.

Referee Dudley Phillips had no option but to award a penalty try at the end of the first period as Falcons struggled to cope with the Parisians' scrum-power.

Wilson burrowed over from close in to put Falcons back in contention, and Rory Clegg's penalty pulled the scores level.

Yet the points were snatched away as Stade's set-piece dominance again told, as a catch and drive was rolled over by Monfils and not even late Falcons pressure could produce the score.

Stade Francais: Williams, Sinzelle, Doumayrou, Inu, Camara, M. Steyn, Fillol, Taulafo, Bonfils, Kubriashvili, Pyle, Mostert, Ross, Rabadan, Lakafia.

Replacements: Mallet for Williams (54), Tomas for Doumayrou (71), Danty for Camara (53), Frou for Taulafo (69), Zhvania for Bonfils (76), Chellat for Kubriashvili (74), Gabrillagues for Mostert (65), M. Ugena for Rabadan (65).

Sin Bin: Ross (62).

Newcastle: Hammersley, Harris, Powell, Socino, Cato, Clegg, Tipuna, Fry, G. McGuigan, Rogers, Green, Thompson, Robinson, Saull, M. Wilson, York.

Replacements: Catterick for Clegg (78), Vickers for Fry (41), Barrow for Thompson (71), York for Robinson (43), Irvine for York (73). Not Used: Hawkins, Davies, Penny.

Sin Bin: Vickers (69).

Att: 6,400

Referee: Dudley Phillips (Ireland).