Rob's boys dunk Bath

Rob Andrew's big spending new boys made a dream start to the Allied Dunbar Premiership with a last gasp 20-13 win against 14-man favourites Bath.

The five-times League champions had flanker Nathan Thomas sent off for stamping on England's Tim Stimpson four minutes after coming on as a blood- bin replacement for Richard Webster.

But Bath fans were furious that Newcastle's fiery number eight Dean Ryan escaped with only a yellow card after racing 10 yards to belt Thomas with two big right-handers.

The sending-off sentenced injury-decimated Bath to play the last 42 minutes a man short from 6-0 down to two Stimpson penalties.

Although Va'aiga Tuigamala scored under the posts for a try brilliantly created by Alan Tait, Mike Catt launched a thrilling recovery with two penalties to cut the lead to 13-6.

Then youngster Jason Perry sent a capacity crowd wild with a glorious try in the 69th minute.

Brian Cusack's clean line-out was sent quickly out through halfbacks Charlie Harrison and Catt and 20-year-old Perry left three defenders for dead in a crossfield run.

Catt's conversion levelled the score but Newcastle roused themselves for a last dramatic rally.

Richard Arnold's lineout take enabled Gary Armstrong to launch their glory surge from deep in their own half.

Quick handling from Tuigamala sent Jim Naylor away and although he was clawed down 15 yards out, Newcastle won a quick ruck and Tuigamala's pass gave sub Stuart Legg a clear run-in.

Legg was on for Tony Underwood, who was stretchered off with with what looked a serious knee injury.

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