​Match report: Newcastle Falcons 13 Bath Rugby 17

Super-sub David Wilson’s sucker-punch try on his first return to boyhood club Newcastle Falcons secured resurgent Bath’s sixth straight Guinness Premiership win.

Bath sent a completely fresh front-row into second-half Kingston Park action this afternoon, refusing to accept second place in the scrum contest.

But despite clear improvements in the set-piece, the two substitute props played match-winning turns elsewhere, David Flatman giving the scoring pass to Nick Abendanon out wide before Wilson's pick-and-go finish.

Matt Banahan grabbed the first try before the break, with Olly Barkley landing one conversion for the only other points.

Newcastle crossed through Rob Vickerman, with ex-Auckland man Jimmy Gopperth posting two penalties and one conversion, but it was to be Steve Meehan’s men who stole another priceless win in the North East.

The result leaves Bath primed to attack the top four, trailing fourth-placed Wasps by just five points – a remarkable turnaround given their early-season travails.

Banahan’s early try was just reward for Meehan’s ambitious and exciting charges, who were not to be daunted by the sticky Kingston Park surface.

Michael Stephenson came off his wing to great effect, adding the extra man in the line despite being dumped on his backside by Danny Williams.

The ever-wily Abendanon cut round the blindside to take advantage of the space, and his net gain afforded the chance for the scoring pass that Banahan accepted to bound home with clear glee.

But once Newcastle decided to match the visitors’ ambition they immediately got back into the contest, through former Leeds centre Vickerman.

The England Sevens cap dotted down without delay after Gopperth’s impressive line-breaking kick return set a platform deep in Bath’s 22.

Ex-Harlequins man Charlie Amesbury slotted into the 10 berth, firing the ball out to Kiwi Brent Wilson who had just enough time to collect and ship on for the score.

The conversion and one from two penalties from Gopperth pushed Bath further behind, and no amount of late rallying could generate any real scoring chances.

Frustrated to be trailing at the break then, Bath belligerently bullied their way back into proceedings immediately after the turnaround.

Cutting a fine inside angle coming off his wing, Banahan bumped off Alex Tait with ease to set a platform in Newcastle’s 22 that the home side failed to handle.

A whole new front-row at half-time had been the answer to scrummage trouble, and one of that trio, prop David Flatman, popped up in the centre channel to provide Abendanon with the kind of scoring chance he tends not to waste.

Jinking back inside to leave the scramble defence flat-footed then, the blonde-haired full-back leveled the scores – only for Davis to cut the conversion attempt just wide.

Barkley’s long-range penalty fell just short, but Bath did not have to wait long for the game’s defining score.

England Saxon Micky Young tried one raid too many on halfway and was turned over, handing Abendanon a clean run into the Falcons 22.

And after a series of pressure-building drives, Wilson inched home following a quickly-tapped five-metre free-kick.

Newcastle rallied and Gopperth landed his second penalty – but he also missed his third, and Bath defended stoutly to seal another fine victory.

Newcastle Falcons: Alex Tait, Danny Williams, Rob Vickerman (Gcobani Bobo 53), Tane Tu’ipulotu, Charlie Amesbury, Jimmy Gopperth, Hall Charlton (Micky Young, 46mins), Jon Golding (Laurence Ovens 61), Rob Vickers, Carl Hayman (capt), James Hudson (Mark Sorenson 63), Tim Swinson, Brent Wilson, Will Welch (Josh Afu 51), Peter Browne. Unused replacements: Alex Walker, Micky Ward, Rob Miller.

Tries: Vickerman (14mins) Cons: Gopperth (15mins) Pens: Gopperth (23mins, 69mins).

Bath Rugby: Nick Abendanon, Michael Stephenson, Shontayne Hape, Olly Barkley, Matt Banahan, Ryan Davis, Michael Claassens (capt), David Barnes (David Flatman, 41), Pieter Dixon (Lee Mears 41), Duncan Bell (David Wilson, 41), Stuart Hooper, Peter Short, Andy Beattie (Jonny Faamatuainu 65), Julian Salvi, Luke Watson. Unused Replacements: Scott Hobson, Scott Bemand, Matt Carraro, Jack Cuthbert.

Scorers: Tries: Banahan (11mins), Abendanon (44mins), Wilson (65mins) Cons: Barkley (65mins).

Referee: JP Doyle.

Attendance: 7,735.