Former England fly-half Paul Grayson steered Northampton to victory as they celebrated the completion of their £6million development at Franklin's Gardens.

The 31-year-old finished with 21 points from a try, two conversions and four penalties in a one-sided game.

Newcastle, winners against Wasps last weekend were out-gunned by Saints who put their opening-day defeat at Sale behind them.

But coach Wayne Smith will be unhappy the midlanders failed to cash in on their domination and score the fourth try that would have earned them a bonus point.

Grayson landed a penalty hat-trick in the opening 30 minutes before winger Jon Sleightholme finished off in the corner for a try in his first league game since dislocating his shoulder two years ago.

Falcons were living off scraps of possession, although skipper Jonny Wilkinson just about kept them in touch with two penalties.

Grayson kept the scoreboard ticking over with a 43rd-minute penalty before England winger Ben Cohen put the game beyond Newcastle with a try 10 minutes into the second half.

Only rarely did Newcastle get into home territory, where they encountered a tenacious defence.

Former Australia lock Mark Connors was taken off in the 45th minute of his debut but Northampton were in such control they used all seven substitutes, as did Newcastle.

Grayson cashed in on number eight Grant Seely's 70th-minute break for a try but Newcastle kept plugging away and were rewarded for their persistence with a try from second row forward Stuart Grimes right at the death.

Teams:

Northampton: Beal, Sleightholme, Cohen, Leslie, Ripol, Grayson, Dawson, Smith, Thompson, Stewart, Williams, Connors, Blowers, Pountney, Seely.

Not Used: Richmond, Morris, Hunter, Soden, Vass, Brooks, Jorgensen.

Tries: Sleightholme, Cohen, Grayson.

Cons: Grayson 2.

Pens: Grayson 4.

Newcastle: Botham, Shaw, Noon, May, Stephenson, J. Wilkinson, Grindal, Peel, Brotherstone, Hurter, Vyvyan, Grimes, Taione, Dowson, Dunbar.

Not Used: Charlton, Godman, Hamilton, Devonshire, Otuvaka, Ward, Thompson.

Tries: Grimes.

Cons: J. Wilkinson.

Pens: J. Wilkinson 2.

Att: 10,213

Ref: Steve Lander (RFU).