TWO defeats in six days. Two defeats at Wasps in six days. Two defeats at Wasps in six days to shake the foundations of a promising Newcastle Falcons season. Newcastle returned to Adams Park confident they would avenge their 35-12 Premiership defeat of last Sunday. They left with their winless Wycombe record sadly intact and their heads bowed more in frustration than despair. No cup glory to equal that of 2001 or 2004, no Twickenham trip – or for that matter, no semi-final at the Millennium Stadium. Those dreams are shattered for another year, but at least John Fletcher and Co still have the European Challenge Cup on which to pin their hopes. Searing sunshine turned to driving rain as the skies darkened - and so with it darkened the Falcons’ outlook. So much for the much-vaunted return of Jonny Wilkinson and Toby Flood. The pair have now enjoyed eight joint Newcastle appearances, six of which have ended in defeat. There is only so much two men can do - and without any decent ball or a solid platform, their effect on the game becomes paltry in the extreme. And so much for the finest scrummager in the world - Carl Hayman made his Newcastle bow, for the second half, but could not propel his pack to victory. As for Tait at full-back, the sprightly flyer only had one chance to showcase his burgeoning talent, stepping through traffic after Tim Visser’s wayward pass. Wasps did the damage before the break this time, but to their credit Newcastle did not crumble after the turnaround. When Fletcher would have been hoping the tie resembled an underdog story like Rocky, he found himself watching Groundhog Day. But this was no dry humour - this was a drubbing from the wily European champions, who cheat, cheat then cheat some more, but always get away with it. Wasps went in 18-0 to the good at the break - just like last week. And just like last week - but to greater effect - the home men put bodies on the ball where there should have been none, put men in obstruction where there should have been none. In another repeat of the abortive Premiership affair, Newcastle offered up several costly mistakes for their hosts. First Phil Dowson knocked on after spying a tight gap, for Eoin Reddan to benefit. The plucky No 9 darted down the blindside, and was first to his own chip to nab the opening try. Tom May will no doubt be downhearted he did not nip in first. May then dropped a high ball under no pressure, eliciting the second score. Referee Malcolm Changleng ran under the posts to signal the penalty try after the Newcastle scrum buckled for a third time. With Jon Golding already in the sin-bin after the second collapse, the try was inevitable. That was the last try of the match, a fractious affair in which Newcastle battled hard, but achieved little. Two Wilkinson penalties was scant reward for a second half full of industry and improved grit. Defeat in Connacht next week, and the wheels might just start to fall off. | 
