Falcons fall short against Saracens

Editor

Newcastle moved eight points clear of bottom side Worcester after picking up a losing bonus point in their 18-23 loss to Saracens.

Newcastle moved eight points clear of bottom side Worcester after picking up a losing bonus point in their 18-23 loss to Saracens.

The in-form Saracens had beaten Northampton a week earlier, while the Falcons were seeking to address a torrid run of form.

The Falcons took the lead in the second minute, when Sinoti Sinoti barged his way over in the corner, though the conversion was missed. But Saracens found a quick response and after ten minutes they were in front.

Alex Goode and Richard Wigglesworth laid the platform, allowing Tim Streather to cross, and Charlie Hodgson added the conversion to give Sarries the lead.

Hodgson then struck a penalty goal on 17 minutes to make it 5-10, and it remained that way until the 37th minute, when Joel Hodgson hit a long-range penalty to narrow the arrears for Newcastle.

But the five-point cushion was re-established after the break through the boot of Charlie Hodgson.

On the hour, his namesake Joel struck back to put Falcons back on the front foot, though that was as good as it got for the hosts.

A Sarries penalty goal, followed by Ben Ransom's try, scored after he scooped up a loose ball and raced 60 minutes, and the conversion made it 11-23 with just ten minutes left on the clock.

Newcastle did hit back before the end, when Alex Tait stretched over, but, despite a nervy finish, league leaders Sarries held on to secure a victory over a Falcons outfit who continue to battle relegation at the foot of the table.

The scorers:

For Falcons:
Tries: Sinoti, Tait
Con: J Hodgson
Pens: J Hodgson 2

For Saracens:
Tries: Streather, Ransom
Cons: C Hodgson 2
Pens: C Hodgson 3
Yellow Card: J Wilson

Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Adam Powell, 12 Jamie Helleur, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Joel Hodgson, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Mark Wilson, 7 Will Welch (c), 6 Richard Mayhew, 5 Scott Macleod, 4 Dom Barrow, 3 Oliver Tomaszczyk, 2 George McGuigan, 1 Grant Shiells
Replacements: 16 Matt Thompson, 17 Gary Strain, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Ian Nagle, 20 Chris York, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Phil Godman, 23 Danny Barnes

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Michael Tagicakibau, 13 Tim Streather, 12 Chris Wyles, 11 Jack Wilson, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Jackson Wray, 7 Will Fraser, 6 Nick Fenton-Wells, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Eoin Sheriff, 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Jamie George, 1 Richard Barrington
Replacements: 16 Scott Spurling, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 Hayden Smith, 20 Justin Melck, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Nils Mordt, 23 Ben Ransom.

Date: Sunday, April 20
Venue: Kingston Park
Kickoff: 15:00 (local, 14:00 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Small
Assistant Referees: Ross Campbell, Robin Goodliffe
TMO: Graham Hughes