Newcastle overcame a poor start to enhance their claim for a place in next
season's Heineken Cup by clinching a maximum five-point haul at the expense of
relegation-threatened Saracens.
Saracens raced out of the blocks to rack up a 13-point lead but the Falcons
hit back with a mixture of forward determination and explosive three-quarter
play.
The visitors' fragile confidence - they have not won on their travels since
December 2 - was visibly shattered by Hall Charlton's 39th-minute try and from
there on it was all Newcastle.
Marius Hurter, Mike Stephenson (2), Hugh Vyvyan and Charlton all crossed after
the break as Saracens battled in vain to keep the score respectable.
Even the 48th-minute arrival of French star Thomas Castaignede - making his
second appearance of the season after a lengthy spell on the sidelines - failed
to spark the London club, who are still battling to avoid the drop from the
Zurich Premiership.
Fly-half Luke Smith, who booted eight points until he made way for
Castaignede, helped keep Newcastle pegged back for the large part of the first
half but he became a shadow as Falcons hit top gear.
It was Smith who notched the first point for the afternoon with a sweet
second-minute penalty and shortly after Saracens found themselves 10-0 up.
Centre Kevin Sorrell broke through some feeble tackling on the 10-metre line
and ran across field before floating over a fine pass to winger Ben Johnstone
who bundled over in the right corner.
Smith slotted the extras and Saracens continued to dominate with their pack -
shorn of several internationals - giving the Falcons' eight a torrid time.
Scrum-half Kyran Bracken was mixing up play nicely, showing some neat touches
which kept Newcastle guessing - one chip from the England number nine that
instigated a Saracens attack was rounded off with another Smith penalty.
The Falcons made several attempts to break Saracens grip on the game with
Jonny Wilkinson and Jamie Noon making valuable yards but the strong wind was
making life difficult as Smith's boot kept the home side pinned back.
Wilkinson had the opportunity for his first kick at goal in the 31st minute
but, given the conditions, he spurned the opportunity and found touch instead.
And it proved a sound decision when number eight Jon Dunbar steamrollered over
after several phases of Falcons play arising from the ensuing line-out.
Amazingly, Wilkinson added the touchline conversion before he was called into
action again a minute short of the interval - this time to improve a try by
Charlton after the scrum-half took a quick tap penalty.
Saracens were reeling from the Falcons assault and Rob Andrew's men were now
firmly in the driving seat, the situation emphasised by prop Hurters' try three
minutes after half-time.
Wilkinson converted before Saracens added to their problems with a 53rd minute
sin-binning of Chris Chesney and Newcastle took full advantage of their
numerical superiority to cross through man of the match Stephenson.
The floodgates were now well and truly open as Vyvyan, Stephenson and Charlton
all ran in tries with Chesney managing a late consolation score for Saracens,
who must now secure a preferable result at home to Bristol next Sunday in their
last game of the season if they are to help themselves avoid the drop.
Teams:
Newcastle: Botham, Tuigamala, Noon, May, Stephenson,
Wilkinson,
Charlton, Ward, Brotherstone, Hurter, Vyvyan, Grimes, Lam,
Devonshire, Dunbar.
Replacements: D. Richardson for May (20),
S. Richardson for Wilkinson (71), Graham for Ward (71),
Thompson for Brotherstone (66), Weir for Grimes (66),
Mower for Devonshire (66), Arnold for Dunbar (58).
Tries: Dunbar, Charlton 2, Hurter, Stephenson 2,
Vyvyan.
Cons: Wilkinson 5, Botham.
Saracens: Winnan, Johnson,
Shanklin, Sorrell, O'Mahony, Smith,
Bracken, Harbut, Russell, Flatman, Hooper, Roche, Chesney,
Roques, Russel.
Replacements: Haughton for Sorrell (59),
Castaignede for Smith (50), Broser for Harbut (58),
Peacey for Roques (74), Cole for Russel (74).
Not Used: Cairns, Walshe.
Sin Bin: Chesney (53).
Tries: Johnson, Chesney.
Cons: Smith.
Pens: Smith 2. Saracens
Att: 6,083
Ref: Robin Goodlife (RFU).
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