Falcons Aim For Top Four

By Ridley Hall
May 8 2002

Kingston Park should be packed to the rafters as Falcons take on the Irish tonight in what promises to be one of the most exciting - and emotional - games ever staged on Tyneside. It will be the night when Inga Tuigamala plays his last ever game at KP.

Pat Lam will also make his league bow, as will Doddie Weir, Gary Armstrong and George Graham who stands a fair chance of starting the game thanks to Micky Ward's dodgy shoulder. But they all face the prospect of another home game should Falcons beat Irish and gain at least a point at Saints to clinch fourth place and a play off game at home.

That's an occasion Inga will miss out on because he will be off to play for Samoa next week in the Pacific rim tournament.

Inga is an emotional guy, and he has made a massive impact in every sense at KP, as well as in the local community through his charity and church work. He should start the game because of of Tom May's back injury ... get there early to see him lead the side out.

Inga could hardly have better opposition with which to finish his Falcons career. Irish are always welcome visitors and have added steel to their running talent to stay close to the top all season.

They are currently five points ahead of us but, on recent performances, we can win and score the tries to give us a bonus point. But don't expect a big winning margin.

If we can get five points we could well nip in front of Irish for fourth place. They travel to a relaxed Tigers at the weekend while we go to Saints who have slipped a little. One point there could then see us take fourth.

But first there is tonight. Neither coach is naming his side until the last moment. Dave walder doesn't start but may yet be on the bench

Falcons 1 George Graham 2 Steve Brotherstone 3 Marius Hurter 4 Hugh Vyvyan 5 Stuart Grimes 6 Pat Lam 7 Rob Devonshire 8 Jon Dunbar 9 Hall Charlton 10 Jonny Wilkinson 11 Inga Tuigamala 12 Tom May 13 Jamie Noon 14 Michael Stephenson 15 Liam Botham

Pat Lam has recovered from a shoulder knock and will play alongside Devonshire and Dunbar who have been first choice in recent weeks. But, against the likes of Chris Sheasby many would have gone with Arnold, Mower and Lam.

The Irish lost at home to Sale in a belting game on Sunday but will be more than eager to hold onto a top four place.

IrishHorak, Sackey, Appleford, Hoadley, Bishop, Everitt, Edwards, Hatley, Kirke, Halford, Strudwick, Fahrensohn, Halvey, Pfister and Sheasby. Reps: Martens, Venter, Cockle, Drotske, Whetley, Hardwick and Delaney.

Some game in prospect.