By Leipziger
October 30 2010

The Falcons put up brave resistance at Franklin's Gardens today but couldn't prevent Northampton gaining a bonus-point victory, the foundations being set by a powerful performance by the home forwards.

The hosts' fourth try only came in the dying seconds when James Downey pounced on a mistake by Jimmy Gopperth.

With Filipo Levi for the injured Glen Townson the only change for Alan Tait's side, Gopperth knocked over an early penalty to put the Falcons ahead.

Stephen Myler equalised, the Saints taking advantage of an extra man after Gcobani Bobo was harshly sin-binned on the quarter-hour for an alleged deliberate knock-on.

The Saints' forwards then attempted to turn the screw with a succession of scrums in the right-hand corner, but despite Tim Ryan standing up at three sets, referee Nigel Owens refused to give a penalty try. When Northampton brought the ball left the Falcons even won a scrum for a knock-on.

The first try wasn't long in coming though. Former Falcons cut through from close range despite Gopperth claiming he had been blocked, and Myler converted.

Christian Day was inches from scoring on the right, the television match official deciding correctly that the lock's knee had hit touch just before the ball was grounded.

Newcastle stayed in contention with a spell of possession near the end of the first half but our maul, so effective in this fixture last season, was no match for the home pack.

With the last kick of the first half Gopperth kicked a penalty wide.

Northampton had the better of the early stages of the second 40 and Myler kicked his second penalty, but the away backs still looked dangerous and following a crossfield move replacement full-back Jeremy Manning was set up to score on the right. Gopperth drilled a successful conversion.

Greig Tonks however hit back, waltzing through the defence in the 22 and the Saints' ten-point lead was restored with the conversion.

Gopperth put the Falcons back into bonus point territory with a penalty but a huge missed tackle by Manning on Joe Ansbro allowed the Scotland winger to score unopposed, a shame since replacement Tom Catterick had put in a superb tackle on just seconds earlier. Myler's conversion all-but secured the home win.

The Falcons came back and won a couple of penalties, now having to play to the corners in search of tries. The attacks proved fruitless however and Northampton came forward in the dying minutes in search of a bonus point.

It arrived when the Falcons spread the ball across the try-line and Gopperth's pass under the posts was caught by Downey for an easy try. Myler added the extras, completing a 34-13 home triumph.

Both teams will feel they left points on the pitch today, but their forward power and better finishing made Northampton worthy winners.

The Falcons now have two LV= Cup games to regroup ahead of a massive Premiership clash with Gloucester at Kingston Park in three weeks' time.