SUPER SUB Phil Dowson gave Newcastle Falcons their second Powergen Cup final victory in four years with a 75th minute try at Twickenham this afternoon.

The England Sevens player, who also scored in the 6th round win over Rotherham, was bundled over from a scrum and Dave Walder converted to edge a seven-try thriller in the the highest ever scoring Cup final.

Newcastle Falcons captain Hugh Vyvyan, whose chargedown of Charlie Hodgson’s kick led to the turnover, said: “It’s unbelievable. It was such a great effort from the boys.

We kept on coming back at them and eventually we did it. At this moment it seems bizarre that I’m leaving, I felt very emotional lifting the Cup.”

The lead changed hands six times and Falcons director of rugby Rob Andrew, whose side won with a controversial late try in 2001, added: “It was a brilliant Cup final and we have done it again! The boys were magnificant but so were Sale. Being in the Heineken Cup next year through winning this is a big bonus.”

Sale led 13-10 at half-time despite Newcastle having most of the possession and taking the lead after just six minutes when Warren Britz picked up from a ruck four metres out and barged over.

Hodgson pulled back three points and then added the extras to Steve Handley’s 14th minute try before Dave Walder levelled the scores at 10-10. Hodgson’s second penalty edged the Sharks ahead before the break.

The second half started with a flourish of four tries in the first 15 minutes. Frirst, Vyvyan burrowed his way over and then Mark Cueto responded for Sale when he turned the Falcons defence inside out on his way to the line.

Hodgson’s long-range penalty put two scores between the sides but Joe Shaw took the Falcons back in front when he got on the end of the flattest of Walder’s passes after the fly-half’s loop move with Mark Mayerhoefler.

Chris Mayor’s try from Nick Walshe’s pass restored the Sharks’ lead but two penalties from Walder, who along with Hodgson kicked faultlessly, put Newcastle level.

Hodgson restored the Sharks lead but his delight turned to misery when his kick was charged down, Hanley grounded the ball over his own line and from the scrum Dowson scored.

Sale coach Jim Mallinder said: “They were two very similar sides playing good attacking rugby. We had a couple of opportunities that we didn’t take. We were a bit naiive and didn’t get out of our half when we should have done and that ultimately cost us.”

Sale Sharks scorers: Tries  – Hanley, Cueto, Mayor; Pens – Hodgson (4); Cons – Hodgson (3).

Newcastle Falcons scorers: Tries – Britz, Vyvyan, Shaw, Dowson; Cons – Walder (4); Pens – Walder (3)