Bates wary of over-ambition

Mar 29 2009 by Nick Purewal, Sunday Sun

NEWCASTLE Falcons might be able to sneak their way to Heineken Cup rugby — but Steve Bates is not getting excited.

The Falcons sent Leicester packing 14-10 at Kingston Park on Friday night, mixing power, pace and persistence to claim their seventh win in eight Guinness Premiership encounters.

Falcons rugby director Bates reckoned Friday’s win simply served to increase the frustration at defeat last week in Bath, but he was delighted his men bounced back in fine style.

Tane Tu’ipulotu capped a fine team move for the home side’s only try, with Tom May adding two penalties and a huge drop-goal as all the points came in the first half.

Leicester looked like going home with just a solitary penalty to their credit, but at the death Dan Hemingway charged down Micky Young’s attempted box clearance, and Ben Youngs nipped in to score.

Toby Flood dropped the conversion to bring his side within four, but the game was already over, and Leicester had to be happy with stealing a losing bonus point when they deserved nothing.

With just Wasps, Bath and Harlequins to play in the league, Newcastle could force their way as high as seventh should they continue their fantastic form.

That would be good enough for Heineken Cup qualification this term, but Bates is not about to let himself — or anyone else for that matter — get carried away.

Bates said: “We can still qualify for the Heineken Cup if we win the European Challenge Cup, and we have a big game against Saracens coming up in that competition.

“We feel we can win that game and that competition, just as we believe we can finish the season strongly and end up higher in the league.