Not even the half-time introduction of Jonny Wilkinson could save Newcastle
from being dumped out of the Powergen Cup by Saracens at Vicarage Road on Sunday.
The England fly-half, continuing his comeback from injury, inspired a spirited
second-half fightback from the Falcons only to see the defence of their trophy
go up in flames.
Newcastle had battled back from 17-5 down at half-time to within two points of
Saracens.
But there was to be no repeat of the heroics which won England the World Cup
or Newcastle the corresponding league fixture earlier in the season as Wilkinson
sent two late drop-goal attempts wide.
It was a pulsating end to a game which Saracens appeared to have wrapped up at
half-time, after Mark Bartholomeusz and Taine Randell had scored in quick
succession.
Stuart Grimes and Matthew Tait scored for Newcastle either side of the
interval and even when Randell crossed for his second score, Wilkinson landed a
penalty to draw Newcastle within a converted try.
Wilkinson's jinking run then created the opening for Michael Stephenson to
touch down and set up a grandstand finish, but his conversion hit the post and
successive drop-goal attempts - one off each foot - fell wide.
For all their second-half commitment, Newcastle's hopes had foundered up front
where Saracens' formidable tight five laid the platform.
Steve Diamond took over the reins from Rod Kafer earlier this week, promising
more direct rugby, and that is what the players delivered.
Had it not been for some loose handling, the Men in Black - who were playing
in white this time - might well have opened a larger half-time lead than they
did.
Saracens turned over Newcastle ball twice in the opening five minutes and then
a huge drive pushed the visitors' scrum off its own ball, only for fly-half Glen
Jackson to pull his attempted drop goal wide.
Tevita Vaikona was involved heavily, coming infield onto the crash ball and
the Newcastle defence - Jamie Noon in particular - certainly never shied away
from making the heavy hits.
But Noon was penalised for not releasing the giant Tongan winger on the deck
and Jackson booted Saracens ahead after 13 minutes.
Vaikona came within inches of powering over in the corner after another huge
drive from the Saracens forwards and a half-break from Jackson had stretched the
Newcastle defence.
On that occasion they regathered - helped by a poor pass to Vaikona - and
bundled him into touch. But after May's drop-goal attempt fell to Vaikona,
Newcastle were on the back foot again.
Jackson launched a cross-field kick and after neat handling down the left, Dan
Harris sent Bartholomeusz over under the posts.
Four minutes later, on the half hour, Saracens extended their lead to 17-0
when New Zealand flanker Taine Randell was driven over from a lineout 10 metres
out.
Saracens had worked their way into a winning position.
Bar a few blindside snipes from Colin Charvis, Newcastle had offered little.
But the sin-binning of hooker Kevin Yates seven minutes before the interval
disrupted the hosts' momentum.
It was crucial for Newcastle to take advantage of their extra man - and they
did so, with Grimes timing his run perfectly to charge over.
Wilkinson was introduced at half-time, while seven minutes later Tait came on
and the England Under-21 international scooted over with his first meaningful
touch to haul Newcastle back into the game.
Wilkinson landed the conversion as camera flashlights illuminated the stands
and he then hauled Newcastle to just 22-15 down with a pressure penalty.
Taking the game by the scruff of the neck, Wilkinson danced through the
Saracens defence, Charvis took the ball on and Stephenson just touched the ball
down.
Wilkinson's conversion rebounded off the post and his two drop goals sailed
wide as Saracens clung on a claim a win they ultimately deserved but came
preciously close to throwing away.
It is they who enter Monday's quarter-final draw.
Teams
Saracens: Bartholomeusz, Haughton, Sorrell, Harris, Vaikona,
Jackson, Williams, Yates, Cairns, Visagie, S. Raiwalui,
Fullarton, Randell, Sanderson, Vyvyan.
Replacements: Castaignede for Harris (57),
Raulini for Williams (76), Lloyd for Yates (63),
Kyriacou for Cairns (80), Chesney for Fullarton (76),
Seymour for Vyvyan (54).
Not Used: Bailey.
Tries: Bartholomeusz, Randell 2.
Cons: Jackson 2.
Pens: Jackson.
Sin Bin: Yates (33).
Newcastle: Shaw, May, Noon, Mayerhofler, Stephenson, Walder,
Charlton, Peel, Thompson, Ward, Gross, Grimes, Charvis, Harris,
Dowson.
Replacements: Tait for Mayerhofler (47),
J. Wilkinson for Walder (40), Isaacson for Peel (70),
Long for Thompson (40), McCarthy for Gross (70).
Not Used: Hurter, Grindal.
Tries: Grimes, Tait, Stephenson.
Cons: J. Wilkinson.
Pens: J. Wilkinson.
Att: 6,029
Ref: C White (RFU).
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