Falcons hold off Saracens' late surge to ensure safety

Newcastle 26 Saracens

Unbearably tense, with an impossibly exciting and dramatic final quarter, Newcastle prevailed because they refused to submit to Saracens' greater forward power once the influential Mark Andrews left the fray and Stuart Grimes was sent to the sin-bin.

Having played all the genuinely penetrating football though, Newcastle are thankful they don't have to go to Bath on Saturday needing victory to ensure Premiership survival.

It wasn't long before both sides fell victim to their own mistakes. Referee Chris White wasn't exempt. He reversed his decision to award Newcastle a penalty, even though David Flatman went berserk at a ruck, fists flailing, and saw his unacceptable behaviour go unpunished. Then, when Joe Shaw was flattened after kicking ahead, White ignored Saracens' indiscretion, believing apparently that Shaw had dived, even though the full-back needed lengthy treatment.

When Andrews departed, having lasted just 17 minutes on his return from a rib injury, Newcastle were on the back foot. To highlight their growing authority, Saracens got a decent drive on at a scrum, spinning the ball left for Tim Horan to cross in the opposite corner. Andy Goode, who had missed a drop and a penalty, converted with unusual aplomb.

It took Newcastle some time to gather their senses. Almost inevitably it was Jonny Wilkinson who lifted them with a sumptuous try. The England outside-half started it on the Falcons' 10-metre line, handed on to Mark Mayerhofler, Jamie Noon then took it on and returned Mayerhofler's pass for Wilkinson to make the final yards before converting.

Not to be outdone, Kevin Sorrell latched on to Goode's chip and only a gang tackle prevented the Saracens centre from scoring at the posts. Goode's work wasn't entirely wasted, as he then banged over a penalty giving Saracens a 10-7 lead at the break.

Until Grimes was yellow-carded in the 75th minute it was mostly downhill for Saracens. The Newcastle backs had cut loose and, after Noon and Michael Stephenson waltzed across for tries, Stephenson was head-hunted by Horan. Although White awarded a penalty try, Horan was allowed to stay on. His disgracefully high tackle deserved at least a yellow card, if not red. With a bonus point in their pocket, Newcastle were 26-10 to the good, but Saracens refused to go quietly.

There was a try for Kyran Bracken after a huge drive from a line-out, and another by Mike Storey to make it 26-22 and induce some serious nail-biting from the Newcastle fans. Somehow, their team just held out. Blaydon Races was never sung with greater fervour.

Newcastle: Tries Wilkinson, Noon, Stephenson; Penalty try; Conversions Wilkinson (3).

Saracens: Tries Horan, Storey, Bracken; Conversions Goode 2 Pen Goode

Newcastle: J Shaw (D Walder 54); T May, J Noon, M Mayerhofler, M Stephenson; J Wilkinson (capt), J Grindal (H Charlton, 54); I Peel, N Makin, M Hurter, M Andrews (C Hamilton, 17), S Grimes, C Newby, A Mower, H Vyvyan.

Saracens: T Horan; R Haughton (T Shanklin 1-11; 15), B Johnston, K Sorrell, D O'Mahony; A Goode, K Bracken (capt); D Flatman (J Ross 57), R Russell, M Storey, S Hooper (C Yandell 60), A Benazzi, K Chesney (T Roques 69), R Hill ( Roques 40-44), B Skirving (M Cairns 69).

Referee: C White (Cheltenham).