Former Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby coach Peter Russell has finally secured a 20th consecutive win in an unbeaten first season with English Championship side Newcastle Falcons.
The milestone, also the 100th Falcons match for former Hurricanes Super Rugby first five-eighth Jimmy Gopperth, was delayed a fortnight as two games were postponed because of snow.
They beat Welsh side Cross Keys 34-3 in a British and Irish Cup match, completing the qualifying rounds comfortable winners of their four-team pool with six wins from six games, securing a home quarter-final.
This week they return to the championship series, leading the 12-team competition by 17pts after 14 matches.