By Leipziger
October 23 2010

The Falcons put in a massive effort last night against title-chasing Saracens to put hope back into the hearts of supporters following an indifferent start to the season. At 13-9 up against 14 men on the back foot the game looked theirs for the taking until two kicks from the visitors, one long after the clock had hit zero, gave Saracens the win.

Newcastle partnered Jimmy Gopperth and Micky Young while Gcobani Bobo and Tim Swinson were also restored to the starting XV, and Rob Vickers returned as captain. Saracens were captained by former England skipper Steve Borthwick and fielded a multitude of other internationals, including his fellow red roser David Strettle and our destroyer at Vicarage Road in March, Schalk Brits.

Alex Goode kicked Saracens ahead early on and his boot battled with Jimmy Gopperth's throughout the first half, as both players missed apparently-simple kicks, but managed to get enough points on the scoresheet for the visitors to lead 3-6 at the break. Gopperth's second effort hit the top of the post and agonisingly fell in front of the line, but considering the pre-match predictions the hosts had done well to stay in touch that long.

Neither side was able to create many clear chances in the first 40. Gcobani Bobo and Tim Ryan made metres for the Falcons, while Noah Cato looked threatening for the visitors. The wayward home lineout was not helped by Glen Townson succumbing to injury during the first half and having to be replaced with Filipo Levi.

After the break Goode and Gopperth again exchanged penalties, and both used the boot to attempt to get their backs moving although this tactic was only moderately successful. The only try of the night came from a break by Luke Eves, and as the centre steamed through the middle Luke Fielden took a pass on his shoulder and went over under the posts.

Gopperth added the simple conversion, and everything looked good for the blacks when with 21 minutes left Schalk Brits was sin-binned for a tackle in the air. It was the third dangerous tackle of the game from Saracens following two previous hits around the neck, both signalled and penalised as such by referee JP Doyle. He did miss a spear tackle off the ball however, despite penalising Alex Tait, incorrectly in my view, for the same offence in the first half.

This seemed to fire up Saracens however while the Falcons, possibly suffering a lack of confidence, seemed to have difficulty in knowing how to defend such a slender lead. Goode kicked his fourth penalty to reduce the deficit to one point, and Saracens kept foraging away looking for another score.

In the dying minutes, Goode lined up a drop goal but with Charlie Amesbury closing in decided to run, and when he did attempt a kick with two or three minutes to go, it was charged down and fell to Amesbury who unfortunately knocked the wet ball on on the floor.

Just before the clock got down to zero Saracens were given a scrum, and as their forwards battled it out with their Newcastle counterparts, the referee gave a penalty in front of the posts for hands in the ruck to the horror of home fans.

As the boos rang around Kingston Park, Goode took his time but easily slotted the penalty to give Saracens the extra three points and leave the Falcons with just a losing bonus point to show for a big, proud performance.