Northampton bounce back to beat Newcastle

Northampton Saints recovered from last week’s loss to Worcester by beating Newcastle Falcons 42-16 at at Stadium MK in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday.

Both sides went into the match having lost their last match but Newcastle will have to wait at least another week for their first win of the season.

The first-half saw one try from Northampton for Christian Day, as well as 11 points from fly-half Stephen Myler.

Newcastle kept themselves in the half with nine points from summer signing Mike Delany.

After the interval, Newcastle flanker Todd Clever was given a yellow card for illegal entry. Northampton subsequently found their form with four tries from Day, Luther Burrell and a brace from Ben Foden.

Newcastle grabbed a consolation try through replacement centre Tom Penny.

The first points of the game came through a try in the opening five minutes from Saints lock Day after a powerful rolling maul.

Newcastle conceded four offside penalties in the first 12 minutes, which saw Myler slot six points for the home side.

Despite early dominance from Northampton, Newcastle eventually established a foothold in the game with three unanswered penalties from Delany who joined the Falcons from Clermont ahead of this season.

Northampton widened the gap again before half-time with another penalty from Myler, giving Jim Mallinder’s side a 16-9 lead.

After the break, Northampton began to increase the pressure, with the return of internationals like Courtney Lawes and Tom Wood from World Cup duty really beginning to tell on the Newcastle pack.

On 51 minutes, Newcastle openside Clever was given a yellow by referee Dean Richards. The USA international was sent to the bin for repeated side entry into the maul.

The home side took advantage of the extra man with their second try of the game. Another rolling maul saw Day score his second as Newcastle failed to stop the powerful Saints’ forwards.

England international Burrell grabbed a try of his own a few minutes later to compile the misery on the fourteen man Falcons. A lovely passage of play saw the Northampton inside centre finish with a pick and drive over the line.

Mallinder’s men secured the bonus point through full-back Foden with 15 minutes to go.

Newcastle struck back against the run of play with a tidy backs move, finished off by replacement Penny, reducing the lead to 19 points.

Foden grabbed his second of the game against a tired Newcastle defence to round off an emphatic first win of the season for Northampton.

Final Score Northampton Saints (16) 42 Newcastle Falcons (9) 16

Scorers

Northampton Saints
Tries – Day 2, Burrell, Foden 2
Pen – Myler 3
Con – Myler 4
Drop –

Newcastle Falcons
Tries – Penny
Pen – Delany 3
Con – Catterick
Drop –

Match Officials
Referee :Dean Richards (82nd Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Ashley Rowden & Andy Watson
TMO: Keith Lewis.

Teams

Northampton

15 Ben Foden, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 George Pisi, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Jamie Elliott, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson (c), 8 Sam Dickinson, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Jamie Gibson, 5 Christian Day, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Alex Waller

Replacements: 16 Mikey Haywood, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Michael Paterson, 20 Jon Fisher, 21 Kahn Fotuali’i, 22 JJ Harrahan, 23 Ahsee Tuala

Newcastle Falcons

15 Hammersley, 14 Venditti, 13 Harris, 12 Powell, 11 Tuilagi, 10 Delany, 9 Tipuna, 8 Hogg (C) , 7 Latu, 6 Clever, 5 Furno, 4 Green, 3 Welsh, 2 Lawson, 1 Vickers

Replacements 16 McGuigan, 17 Fry, 18 Vea, 19 Botha, 20 Welch, 21 Dawson, 22 Catterick, 23 Penny.