Saracens returned to the top of the Premiership table after securing a late bonus point in their win at Newcastle.
Charlie Hodgson converted Samuela Vunisa's try and added two penalties to give Sarries a 13-3 lead at half-time, with Tom Catterick replying.
Hodgson then kicked two penalties after the break either side of Nick Tompkins' score from close range.
Fly-half Hodgson added a breakaway try late on before Billy Vunipola's score in added time sealed a bonus point.
Saracens remained the only unbeaten team in Europe this season and recorded their 13th consecutive victory over Newcastle Falcons in all competitions.
But the north London side had to wait to be sure of victory as a kicking battle in the first half made for a scrappy game.
Newcastle, still without a league win this season, put pressure on Saracens' defence in the second half, but despite going through the phases they could not trouble the visitors' line.
It was from a Falcons attack that former England international Hodgson, who will retire at the end of this season, got the third try of the afternoon on 78 minutes after intercepting a loose pass and racing clear.
With the home side attempting to get on the scoreboard themselves in added time, a turnover and breakaway from Ben Ransom eventually allowed Vunipola to add Saracens' fourth score of the afternoon in the fourth minute of added time.
Newcastle: Tait; Agulla, Powell, Socino, Watson; Catterick, Young; Vickers, McGuigan, Welsh, Robinson, Green, Wilson, Welch (capt), Latu.
Replacements: Lawson, Rogers, Vea, Botha, Hogg, Takulua, Willis, Harris.
Saracens: Goode; Ellery, Tompkins, Taylor, Wyles; Hodgson, Spencer; Barrington, George (capt), Figallo, Itoje, Kruis, Wray, Fraser, Vunisa.
Replacements: Saunders, Vunipola, Du Plessis, Rhodes, Vunipola, De Kock, Streather, Ransom. 
No comments:
Post a Comment