By David Parry
February 23 2004

Temperatures plummeted as Saracens secured a five-point win against a Falcons side that will be grateful that the result was not more damaging to their league position. Newcastle – without Rugby’s most recognisable face Jonny Wilkinson - came away from the game with two bonus points; the first for losing by seven points or less, the second for scoring four tries against an occasionally wobbly Saracens defence.

Saracens started impressively, Thomas Castaignede’s break in the first minute resulting in Richard Haughton’s spectacular try in the corner. Castaignede was, however, unable to add the conversion in the harsh arctic wind. Falcons responded quickly with a try by fullback Joe Shaw just seven minutes later, a handling error by Ben Johnston handing Newcastle a score against the run of play. This equalizer was to be Newcastle’s only try in a half that saw Sarries undoing the Falcons with some fluid back-line movement and passing. Shaw was inches away from scoring a near identical try twenty minutes later but managed to knock the ball-on over the line after a tackle by Kris Chesney. Saracens scored two further tries before heading into the changing room for half time; Ryan Peacey’s sprint for the line regained the lead, followed by Taine Randell’s drive which put daylight between the sides. Castaignede was influential in both scores as well as adding what would prove to be vital conversions at the final whistle. Newcastle added just a penalty score in reply. A Newcastle clearance from a penalty brought an end to a half in which Saracens had produced some magical rugby, Thomas Castaignede and Richard Haughton proving vital components of this attacking Saracens side. Saracens left the field with an eleven-point cushion – the score: Saracens 19 Newcastle 8.

The second half brought respectability to the score-line for Newcastle with further scores by replacement Warren Britz and by Paul Dowson plus a fortunate interception try by Dave Walder at the death, giving Newcastle the two bonus points, all happening in the last fifteen minutes of the game. Saracens points came from an interception try from Richard Haughton and a successful penalty from Castaignede. Haughton sprinted over two-thirds of the pitch to score unopposed. Newcastle were unable to maintain their discipline in the second half with the sin-binning of Gareth Archer for offside at a ruck in the Newcastle half and of Epi Taione for a dangerous late challenge on Thomas Castaignede that would earn him the role of villain for the afternoon.

When the final whistle was blown at a freezing, windswept Vicarage Road, Saracens found themselves in the curious position of being victorious by a small margin despite dominating and outscoring Newcastle for the majority of the match. The final score: Saracens 32 Newcastle Falcons 27.