Newcastle win big but Toulon on top

First-half try for Newcastle: Tom Catterick

Newcastle ran seven tries past Italian side Petrarca Padova in a crushing 43-0 Challenge cup victory on Sunday to keep the pressure on Pool 2 rivals Toulon.

But Toulon are still in control of the group and favourites to qualify for the quarter-finals after beating Lyon with a bonus point.

Newcastle Falcons 43-0 Petrarca Padova
Kingston Park Stadium

The Falcons only led 7-0 at half time but the floodgates opened in the second half to hand the hosts a bonus point and keep their slim quarter-final hopes alive.

Newcastle trail Toulon by two points with one round to go.

The Falcons travel to France to face European rugby's new boys Lyon next weekend, while Toulon play Padova.

The scorers:

For Newcastle:
Tries: Catterick, Fitzpatrick, Hodgson, Shortland 2, Pasqualin, Wells
Cons: Manning 3, Hodgson

Toulon 29-10 Lyon
Satde Felix Mayol, Toulon

Jonny Wilkinson's Toulon are still in the driving seat for an Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final place.

Wliko captained the side and his deft inside pass led to number eight Leonardo Senatore crossing for the critical try which gave Toulon a 10-3 lead at half-time.

Full-back Luke Rooney's 80th minute try secured the bonus point.

The scorers:

For Toulon:
Tries: Senatore, Lapeyre, Gunther, Rooney
Cons: Wilkinson 3
Pen: Wilkinson

For Lyon:
Try: Bontinck
Con: Lespinas
Pen: de Bruyn