CHALLENGE CUP/Worcester 31 Newcastle 16:WORCESTER BOOKED their place in the European Challenge Cup final as two tries from Sam Tuitupou helped down Newcastle and sound the curtain call on Jonny Wilkinson's season.

The outhalf will now undergo a shoulder operation that will rule him out of England's summer Tests and the rest of the Falcons' floundering Guinness Premiership campaign.

Once again, Wilkinson and the rest of Newcastle's star-studded backline failed to shine in a game interrupted by a floodlight failure as a hungry Worcester side outmuscled and outthought a lacklustre Falcons pack and their first-half dominance was rewarded with tries for Marcel Garvey and Tuitupou before scores after the break from the New Zealand centre and replacement Tom Wood gave the home side a final berth against the winners of today's clash between Sale and Bath.

Newcastle winger Tom May opened the scoring with a drop goal. but the lead though was shortlived as Worcester hit back after eight minutes. As the ball was worked down the Newcastle backline, Jamie Noon was smashed by Dale Rasmussen and Garvey was onto the loose ball in a flash, evading one tackle before diving over. Drahm converted.

Newcastle were on the ropes and the pressure told after 22 minutes when Garvey's delicate chip allowed centre Tuitupou a simple score - Drahm converting to make it 14-3.

Newcastle reduced the deficit late in the half with a Wilkinson penalty. But moments after the break, Drahm restored Worcester's advantage with a penalty.

Wilkinson pinged over another penalty to make it 17-9. But Worcester perseverance was rewarded eight minutes from time when replacement Wood burrowed over. Tuitupou got his second as again he read Shane Drahm's superb chip to touch down under the posts.

Drahm blotted his copybook late on as his charged down kick allowed Falcons replacement Brent Wilson a simple score but it was all too late for Newcastle.

Bath have chosen their strongest available side for today's semi-final with Sale.

Nick Abendanon returns at full-back, Alex Crockett at centre; David Barnes and Chris Goodman come into the pack.

Sale's first-choice back row of Jason White, Magnus Lund and Sebastien Chabal all failed fitness tests but Luke McAlister replaces the suspended Lee Thomas and hooker Sebastien Bruno returns.