Newcastle removed themselves from the Zurich Premiership relegation battle
after securing a maximum five-point haul from an entertaining encounter at
Kingston Park.
Saracens edged the first half 10-7 following a Tim Horan try and a penalty
from fly-half Andy Goode but Newcastle turned on the style after the interval to
end the London club's brave resistance.
Touchdowns from Jamie Noon, Michael Stephenson and a penalty try in the space
of 11 second-half minutes put the Falcons in the driving seat with Saracens in
danger of being swept away.
But the visitors launched a stirring fightback with Kris Chesney and Mike
Storey crossing and despite a late surge they could not break through, allowing
Newcastle to clinch a result which guarantees Premiership rugby for another
season.
It was a thrilling finale to a magnificent game - Saracens' losing bonus point
was no more than they deserved and with relegation still a possibility, it could
prove crucial come their final league game next Saturday.
Newcastle threatened early on with former All Black Mark Mayerhofler prominent
as they swept deep into Saracens' half but they lost the ball at a breakdown on
the 22, ending a promising move.
Tom May almost broke through in the 20th minute after palming off Ben Johnston
but he was chased down by Saracens winger Darragh O'Mahony who forced a knock-on
with his tackle.
O'Mahony was in the thick of the action again moments later when he cut inside
and sliced through the Falcons' backs before being hauled down on the 22.
Saracens recycled and spun the ball right, eventually winning a scrum which
they used as the platform to set up the first try of the match.
Quick hands found full-back Horan on the left flank and the Wallaby World Cup
star showed remarkable strength to power his way over from 15 metres, despite
the attention of May.
Goode landed the conversion but a try created by Mayerhofler three minutes
before the interval saw Newcastle level the score.
The New Zealand centre surged through the Saracens' midfield, shrugged off two
tackles and fed Noon who carried the ball forward several metres before
returning his pass to Mayerhofler.
With Newcastle players stacked up his left, the Kiwi found skipper Jonny
Wilkinson who galloped home unopposed and then kept his composure to add the
conversion, despite a strong cross wind.
Mayerhofler's opposite number Kevin Sorrell almost broke through deep in
injury time when he raced full tilt onto a flat pass but he was held up over the
line, although Saracens had already won a penalty which Goode slotted over.
A neat dummy from Wilkinson shortly after the break saw the Saracens defence
open up and the England star took full advantage, releasing Noon who sped
upfield and found Stephenson, only for the winger to be hauled down by the
visiting cover.
Newcastle continued to press with full-back Joe Shaw busting through before
slipping on the floor as he attempted to sidestep Horan, the last line of
defence.
But the Falcons could not be denied in the 50th minute, although there was a
touch of good fortune about their second try.
Horan was given a poor pass which the Australian failed to hold, spilling the
ball onto the floor before a unfortunate bounce saw it fall into the arms of
Noon who dashed 50 yards to touch down.
Newcastle were well on top now and Stephenson crossed for the third after fine
handling from Wilkinson, who atoned for his failure to convert Noon's try by
adding the extras.
Stephenson was also responsible for the score which clinched the bonus point -
and Newcastle's presence in the Premiership next season - when he sped down the
left wing before being clothes lined by Horan five metres short of the line.
Once again Horan was the last man and his high tackle prevented a certain
score, forcing referee Chris White to award a penalty try which Wilkinson
improved.
Flanker Chesney barged his way over in the 65th minute and then Storey added
another try in similar fashion, converted by Goode, to slash the deficit to four
points but despite laying siege to Newcastle's line in the dying moments they
could not produce the winning score.
Teams
Newcastle: Shaw, May, Noon, Mayerhofler, Stephenson,
J. Wilkinson, Grindal, Peel, Makin, Hurter, Andrews, Grimes,
Newby, Mower, Vyvyan.
Replacements: Botham, Walder, Charlton, Ward, Hamilton, Dunbar,
Thompson.
Tries: J. Wilkinson, Noon, Stephenson, Penalty.
Cons: J. Wilkinson 3.
Saracens: Horan, Haughton, Johnston, Sorrell, O'Mahony, Goode,
Bracken, Flatman, R. Russell, Storey, Hooper, Benazzi, Chesney,
Hill, Skirving.
Replacements: Ross, Cairns, Yandell, Roques, Williams, Shanklin,
Winnan.
Tries: Horan, Storey, R. Russell.
Cons: Goode 2.
Pens: Goode.
Att: 9,127
Ref: Chris White (RFU).
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