Harlequins kicked off 2025 with a resounding 38-14 bonus-point victory over a struggling Newcastle Falcons side at Kingston Park. This dominant performance saw tries from James Chisholm, Marcus Smith, Jack Walker, Oscar Beard, and Sam Riley, reaffirming Harlequins’ supremacy over the Premiership’s bottom-dwellers. The win snapped a three-match losing streak in the Premiership for Harlequins, extending their winning run against Newcastle to nine consecutive games.
The visitors wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Chisholm’s powerful surge from a lineout giving them an early lead. Despite a temporary setback with Irne Herbst’s sin-binning, which allowed Adam Radwan to level the score for Newcastle, Harlequins quickly regained control. Smith’s try just before halftime restored their lead, demonstrating the visitors’ ability to capitalize on opportunities. While Newcastle managed to narrow the gap to just three points midway through the second half with a try from Ben Redshaw, Harlequins responded emphatically.
The final eight minutes witnessed a flurry of tries from the visitors, showcasing their attacking prowess and clinical finishing. Walker’s scramble over the line, followed by Beard’s powerful run-in after a clever interplay between Smith and Murley, secured the bonus point. Riley’s late try, culminating from a series of slick offloads, added further gloss to the scoreline, solidifying Harlequins’ comprehensive victory and underscoring their resurgence after a period of indifferent form. The win instilled renewed confidence within the Harlequins squad, demonstrating their ability to overcome challenges and deliver a ruthless performance.
James Chisholm, the Harlequins No. 8, was instrumental in his team’s success, earning the Player of the Match accolade. His early try set the tone for the match, and his consistent powerful carries and impactful presence in the back of the pack provided the platform for Harlequins’ dominance. Chisholm’s performance exemplified the physicality and relentless drive that characterized Harlequins’ approach throughout the game. His leadership and ability to gain crucial yardage were pivotal in securing the bonus-point victory.
The match highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two teams. Harlequins demonstrated their ability to maintain composure under pressure, even when Newcastle threatened a comeback. Their clinical execution in the final stages of the match exposed Newcastle’s defensive vulnerabilities and their inability to sustain pressure. While Newcastle showed glimpses of promise, particularly with Radwan and Redshaw’s tries, they ultimately lacked the consistency and defensive solidity to compete with a resurgent Harlequins side. The player ratings reflected the gulf in performance between the two sides, with several Harlequins players earning higher scores than their Newcastle counterparts.
The match unfolded with Harlequins taking an early lead through Chisholm’s try, converted by Smith. Newcastle capitalized on Herbst’s sin-binning to level the score with Radwan’s try and Connon’s conversion. However, Harlequins quickly regained the lead before halftime with Smith’s try and conversion. In the second half, Newcastle narrowed the gap with Redshaw’s try and Connon’s conversion. However, Harlequins responded decisively, scoring three late tries through Walker, Beard, and Riley, all converted by Smith, to seal a comprehensive bonus-point victory. This dominant performance underscores Harlequins’ resurgence and their continued dominance over Newcastle Falcons.
