Falcons and Lyon beat Worcester and Gloucester

Newcastle Falcons ran in four tries as they got the better of Worcester Warriors 31-26 in their Challenge Cup opener at Kingston Park.

The two English outfits were level at 21-21 at the interval after three tries apiece, with Max Wright, Mike Brown and George McGuigan going over for the hosts and Worcester hitting back through a penalty try and crossings from Duhan van der Merwe and Harri Doel.

Click here for teams and scorers

A second-half try by Ollie Lindsay-Hague, coupled with a fourth conversion from Will Haydon-Wood, put the home side seven points in front.

Will Chudley reduced the deficit for Worcester, but Fin Smith missed the conversion and Joel Hodgson wrapped up Newcastle’s victory with a late penalty.

Lyon edge Gloucester in France

Elsewhere, an inexperienced Gloucester side claimed a losing bonus point in a 19-13 defeat in Lyon in Friday’s other Challenge Cup game.

The Cherry and Whites survived a first-half onslaught to trail 6-3 at the break, with a Billy Twelvetrees penalty putting them on the scoresheet.

Jordan Taufua extended Lyon’s advantage, but Cameron Jordan replied with his first try for Gloucester as the visitors once again reduced the deficit to three points.

Jonathan Pelissie kicked the final points of the match for Lyon, but Gloucester were close enough to emerge with the losing bonus point.