EPCR Challenge Cup Pool Two
Lyon (7) 14
Tries: Mathiron, Shvangiradze Cons: Jackson 2
Newcastle Red Bulls (13) 23
Tries: Obatoyinbo, Christie, Spencer Cons: Connon Pens: Connon 2
Late tries from Tom Christie and Oli Spencer propelled Newcastle to a hard-fought victory over last year’s runners-up Lyon in their Challenge Cup opener.
The Red Bulls went into halftime with a 13-7 lead thanks to Harrison Obatoyinbo’s early try and two penalties converted by Brett Connon, while Lyon’s Arthur Mathiron scored in response.
In the second half, Beka Shvangiradze’s try put Lyon in front, taking advantage of Newcastle being down a player after Amanaki Mafi was shown a yellow card.
However, Christie’s debut try for Newcastle reclaimed the lead just ten minutes from the end, and Ollie Fletcher assisted Spencer for the final try that secured the win.
Newcastle started strongly, earning an early penalty that led to a maul, where Obatoyinbo managed to break through and score the first points of the match.
Lyon responded with a well-placed kick from Paddy Jackson, which allowed Mathiron to capitalize and level the score, but Newcastle maintained their ground dominance and regained the lead with Connon’s successful penalty from a distance.
Tom Christie scored his first try for Newcastle, helping to regain the lead for his team [Shutterstock Editorial]
Although Lyon applied some pressure, George McGuigan’s break earned another penalty for Newcastle, which Connon successfully converted to bring the score to 13-7 at halftime.
Lyon quickly leveled the match in the second half when Shvangiradze scored off Mathiron’s assist, with Jackson’s conversion putting the French side ahead for the first time.
Newcastle nearly responded when they opted for a five-metre scrum, but Tom Gordon’s attempted try was disallowed after a review.
With Mafi still in the sin-bin, Newcastle’s chances appeared to dwindle, until Connon delivered another penalty to the corner, allowing Christie to score from the resulting maul.
Minutes later, Spencer received an offload from Fletcher and extended the lead for Newcastle, effectively sealing the victory despite missed conversions.
Newcastle, still searching for their first points in the Premiership this season, will continue their European campaign next Saturday against the Johannesburg Lions.
Lyon: Meliande, Mathiron, Regard, Maraku, Dumortier, Jackson, Couilloud, Moukoro, Sarragallet, Gomes, Geraci, Roux, Okuya, Shvangiradze, Baret.
Replacements: Marchant, Rey, Maalo, Sanson, Gouzou, Cassang, Masi, Parisien.
Newcastle Red Bulls: Chamberlain, Spencer, Hearle, Grayson, Obatoyinbo, Connon, Stuart, Brocklebank, McGuigan, McCallum, Usher, Hodgson, Gordon, Christie, Mafi.
Replacements: Fletcher, Hancock, Rewcastle, Baker, Neild, Cruz, Hutchison, Coetzee.
Referee: Morne Ferreira