Anderson solo try sets up Dragons win at Newcastle

Victory over Newcastle was the first away from home in the Challenge Cup for Dragons since January 2023

European Rugby Challenge Cup

Newcastle Falcons (7) 14

Tries: Radwan, Hearle Cons: Wilkinson 2

Dragons (10) 22

Tries: Martinez, Wainwright, Anderson Cons: O'Brien, Evans Pens: O'Brien

Full-back Huw Anderson scored a sensational try on his first start to help Dragons claim an impressive Challenge Cup victory at Newcastle Falcons.

The 20-year-old ran 70 yards to put the seal on the Welsh side's first win in this season's competition after earlier scores from Rodrigo Martinez and Aaron Wainwright.

Filo Tiatia's side climb to third in Pool 2 on five points and right in the mix for qualification for the knockout stages.

But Newcastle, for whom Adam Radwan and Alex Hearle scored fine tries, have now lost both of their matches without picking up any bonus points and face an uphill battle to make it through.

The sour note of the afternoon for Dragons was a serious-looking injury for lock George Nott, who was wheeled off the pitch after several minutes of treatment.

The two sides are regulars in Europe's second tier competition with each playing in it for a fifth straight season.

After opening with a loss, a win was imperative for both and it was Dragons who seized the initiative as they went through the phases close to the Newcastle line before Argentina prop Martinez burrowed over.

They were very close to adding a second score when Oli Andrew raced towards the corner, only for Radwan to just about force him into touch before he had grounded the ball – a decision confirmed after a lengthy TMO call.

An O'Brien penalty extended the lead to 10 points, but Radwan brought his team back into things and lit up a grey afternoon with a fantastic score.

He came infield from his right-wing position inside his own half and took a short pass from Kieran Wilkinson and raced through a gap in the Dragons line to score a fantastic try, his third in his last four games.

Foot on the gas

The Falcons went in front for the first time seven minutes after the break with another fine score as Connor Doherty surprised the defence with a grubber kick that bounced perfectly for centre partner Hearle to dive over.

But Wales flanker Wainwright took matters into his own hands to restore the Dragons' advantage almost immediately as he received a lineout and charged to the line from over 20 yards.

A brilliant break from Falcons full-back Ben Redshaw broke through the Welsh defence, but when the ball was knocked on by Sebastian de Chaves, Anderson returned it with interest.

He put his foot on the accelerator as he spotted a couple of forwards to run past and nobody could stop him as he touched down for a sensational debut score.

Replacement scrum-half Rhodri Williams thought he had sealed the win but his try was ruled out for a forward pass in the build-up.

The game was then paused as Nott needed lengthy treatment after making a tackle, but when it resumed, Dragons held out to end Newcastle's run of four straight wins at Kingston Park.

Falcons consultant director of rugby Steve Diamond told BBC Radio Newcastle:

"It was a game of fine margins between two teams struggling in their respective leagues and they played the conditions and controlled the game a little bit better than we did.

"I was a bit disappointed because we have got one or two players who are talking the talk and not delivering the message. I'll be having a quiet word over the next two days with them.

"We talked about keeping the winning mentality here and we haven't. We were a little bit lacklustre for some reason, 5% off it and this team has to be 100% on it."

Newcastle: Redshaw; Radwan, Hearle, Doherty, Stevenson; Wilkinson, Stuart; McCallum, Fletcher, Callum Hancock, McDonald, de Chaves, Lockwood, Gordon, Chick (capt).

Replacements: Byrne, Rewcastle, Connor Hancock, Baker, Leatherbarrow, O'Sullivan, Connon, Spencer.

Dragons: Anderson; Rosser, Westwood, Owen, Andrew; O'Brien (capt), Hope; Martinez, Coghlan, Coleman, Cummins, Nott, Woodman, Lydiate, Wainwright.

Replacements: Burrows, Reynolds, Latu, Thomas, Minto, Williams, Evans, Wilson.

Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy)