Gopperth boots Falcons to victory

Newcastle climbed to sixth in the Guinness Premiership after fly-half Jimmy Gopperth booted them to a 12-6 win over Wasps - their first victory at Adams Park.

Gopperth kicked four penalties from seven attempts to conclude the Falcons' three-match losing streak and register their first win in nine visits to High Wycombe.

It was yet another poor advert for the Premiership, which continues to enjoy a boom in attendance figures despite the poor standard of rugby produced this season.

England and Lions lock Simon Shaw rose above the mediocrity to become the dominant forward on the pitch, closely followed by Newcastle skipper Carl Hayman.

But there were precious few highlights in a drab encounter settled by penalties, with Shaw foiled by Hayman in the only try-scoring chance.

Wasps, who dispatched Harlequins in front of a 76,000 crowd at Twickenham last Sunday, used three kickers in Dave Walder, Danny Cipriani and Mark van Gisbergen.

Walder and Van Gisbergen each landed three points for the hosts.