European Challenge Cup: Newcastle 18-57 Benetton - Falcons' losing run continues

Benetton centre Tommaso Menoncello stretches to score the first of his two tries against Newcastle Falcons

Newcastle's losing streak extended to 14 matches this season as they were comfortably beaten at home by Benetton in the European Challenge Cup.

Eduardo Bello scored the first try for Newcastle but the Italian side ran in eight tries to seal a quarter-final place.

Replacement prop Murray McCallum came on to score a second try for the Falcons but it was far too late.

Flanker Alessandro Izekor and fly-half Jacob Umaga then came off the bench to apply the coup de grace for Benetton.

It was a second victory in the competition for the Treviso-based Benetton, who move top of pool two with a game remaining in the group stage.

Fly-half Tomas Albornoz scored their opening try before winger Onisi Ratave scored twice with centre Tommaso Menoncello and wing Ignacio Mendy also touching down.

Newcastle had selected as strong a side as possible to try and force a first win in any competition since the Premiership Cup in September.

But Benetton, second to Leinster in the United Rugby Championship, proved much too strong and the wait for Alex Codling's side continues.

Newcastle head coach Alex Codling told BBC Radio Newcastle:

"First 20 minutes I thought we were outstanding and we should have had another couple of scores.

"But like on many occasions this season, we lost momentum and we get punished.

"We didn't look after the ball well enough in the air or on the floor and the last 60 minutes wasn't what we're about as a club."

Newcastle: Obatoyinbo; Radwan, Wacokecoke, Hutchison, Stephens; Connon, Barton; Brocklebank, Blamire, Bello, Hawkins, De Chaves, Rubiolo, Pepper, Chick (capt).

Replacements: Byrne, Brantingham, McCallum, Lockwood, Cross, O'Sullivan, Johnson, Penny.

Benetton: Smith; Mendy, Menoncello, Brex, Ratave; Albornoz, Uren; Gallo, Lucchesi, Zilocchi, N Cannone, Snyman (capt), Negri, Zuliani, L Cannone.

Replacements: Bernasconi, Zani, Pasquali, Koegelenberg, Ruzza, Izekor, Garbisi, Umaga.

Sin-bin: Mendy (4).

Referee: Tuan Trainini.

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