By Leipziger
November 4 2013

 The Falcons had a chance to go seventh in the Premiership yesterday afternoon, though admittedly a bonus point win at Saracens was unlikely.

Newcastle started well but had few real chances and the home side’s pace and power, and general superior quality, allowed them to pull away in the second half and record a big 40-3 win.

An electronic banner welcomed back Adam Powell and Noah Cato to their old club pre-match. Both were in the Falcons’ starting lineup alongside Phil Godman, paired with former international colleague Mike Blair. Kieran Brookes and Will Welch started and Dom Barrow was shifted to the second row.

On their first outing on Saracens’ plastic pitch at Allianz Park, the Falcons began well and used the forwards to break through the home defence. Rob Vickers, Scott Lawson and Barrow all made strong drives.

Godman hit the post with an early penalty before sending his second attempt through the uprights.

With Saracens under pressure, the home fans became restless as Matt Carley awarded another penalty to Newcastle from a lineout on the right, and sin-binned Matt Stevens for taking out a lifter from under Carlo del Fava. Godman failed to convert however.

The Falcons continued to probe but did not really trouble Saracens with a predictable backline. A long-range drop-goal attempt by Godman was snatched, panicked and well wide.

Charlie Hodgson missed too for Saracens on his side’s first meaningful attack but with Stevens preparing to return, the former England fly-half found a gap on the right following a crossfield move and scored the day’s first try. Hodgson, making his first appearance of the season, converted himself.

Saracens won another penalty when Ryan Shortland and Will Fraser went up for a high ball just inside the Falcons’ half and the away winger was harshly penalised, though after consulting his TMO Mr Carley failed to heed the home fans’ shouts for a yellow card.

Hodgson knocked over the kick and Saracens led 10-3 at half-time.

After the break, the Falcons rarely saw the ball and Saracens immediately set about building up the score. Hodgson scored a second penalty within seconds of the restart and later increased the lead to 13 points with another kick.

The tries then began coming. David Strettle was first to cross in the second 40, taking a crossfield kick and squeezing through a tiny gap on the far left and just managing to touch down a split second before his left foot came down off the pitch. The TMO probably came to the right decision.

From a lineout on the right, Saracens drove for the line and the Falcons had no answer. Jamie George finished off the rolling maul and Hodgson converted.

With ten minutes remaining, Alex Goode was the last man and scored the bonus point try. The 40-point mark was brought up by Strettle breaking through tackles by Alex Tait and Noah Cato to score his second try and Saracens’ fifth in the final few minutes, Hodgson having converted the final two scores.

After the match fireworks soared from behind both sides of Allianz Park, with Saracens back to the top of the Premiership having been temporarily deposed by Northampton an hour earlier, and the Falcons move on after a game that will probably not matter too much in the relegation battle.