Newcastle breeze into semi spot

Epi Taione emerged from rugby's racism row and a three-week suspension with a try-scoring return for Newcastle as the Powergen Cup holders stayed on course to retain the trophy with a convincing win yesterday.

In a contest hampered by a raging wind, Taione produced a storming display in the final half hour of his first game since being sent off at Gloucester. He began the move which allowed Inga Tuigamala to cross for the game-turning try on the hour, and the Tongan flanker blazed over eight minutes from time to leave the tie beyond valiant Leeds.

Newcastle manager Rob Andrew said: 'He was rusty in the fi rst hal f but in the second he was impressive and scored a good try.'

England fly half Jonny Wilkinson struggled to find his touch in the gale. He landed eight of his 13 kicks at goal in conditions he later described as a 'night-mare' but played a key role in two of his side's tries.

After Dan Scarbrough scored in the corner for Leeds, Wilkinson and Dave Walder set up lock Stuart Grimes for a try.

Leeds fought back but Walder's storming 50-yard touchline break in the 56th minute set up Tuigamala's try.

Wilkinson made the tricky conversion appear routine and then combined again with Walder to conjure Taione's try.