England international helps Montpellier sink Newcastle while Lions pick up win at Perpignan
Montpellier number eight Sam Simmonds against Newcastle Falcons.
A try from England international Sam Simmonds helped Montpellier open their Challenge Cup campaign with a win as they beat Newcastle Falcons 24-19 on the road.
The Falcons’ losing streak continued in Europe as they came up short on Sunday.
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The hosts, who have lost each of their first seven Premiership matches this season, were 17-0 down early in the second-half following tries from Alex Becognee, Ben Lam and Anthony Bouthier.
Newcastle fought back to close the gap to five points with Callum Chick and Iwan Stephens crossing, before Simmonds notched a bonus-point try for the French side in the 63rd minute, with Louis Carbonel converting.
Jamie Blamire notched a third Newcastle try, converted by Louie Johnson, in the 75th minute but Alex Codling’s men were unable to avoid another loss.
Lions claim victory at Perpignan
Also in Pool 2, the Lions began with a win as the South African outfit triumphed 28-12 against Perpignan at Stade Aime Giral.
With the match level at 3-3, Lions wing Rabz Maxwane scored what proved the only try of the contest in the ninth minute.
The other 23 points for Lions – who led 16-12 at the interval – came from the boot of Jordan Hendrikse, while Jean-Pascal Barraque kicked all of Perpignan’s points.
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