A last-gasp try from Chris Ashton moved Northampton Saints up to 3rd place in the Aviva Premiership at the expense of Newcastle Falcons on Friday night. However, the home side came away with a vital bonus point that moves them off the bottom of the table and will be vital in their fight against relegation.
On a dry night at Kingston Park, conditions were perfect for rugby and it was the home side that made the much brighter start. Just five minutes in, Newcastle were in front after Northampton were guilty of collapsing the maul and the Falcons fly-half Jimmy Gopperth stepped up to strike the home side in front. Newcastle 3-0 Northampton
The Saints were struggling to get any sort of foothold in the game with Newcastle putting on an increasing amount of pressure and after nine minutes, they fell even further behind courtesy of Gopperth's boot once again. After offending at the breakdown once more, Gopperth stepped up from virtually the same blade of grass to put the bottom side six points up within the first ten minutes and give them a solid start. Newcastle 6-0 Northampton
But after perhaps suffering from a Heineken Cup hangover, Northampton managed to wake themselves from their slumber to strike back on 27 minutes. After being awarded a scrum just five metres out, the visiting forwards shunted their way towards the Newcastle line and as the ball came out to Ben Foden from Roger Wilson's pick-up, he managed to use Bruce Reihana as a decoy and dive over the line. Stephen Myler converted Foden's score and an interesting game was developing. Newcastle 6-7 Northampton
Five minutes before half-time, the visitors managed to put some daylight between themselves and their hosts. Northampton had the advantage after a strong scrummage and after Myler couldn't collect his own chip kick, the referee brought play back for the penalty. Myler couldn't miss and he stretched the lead. Newcastle 6-10 Northampton. Just before half-time though, Gopperth missed a simple penalty attempt after the Saints didn't roll away. The home fly-half's 40-yard effort was right in front of the posts but he just pulled it wide.
At the start of the second half though, Gopperth made up for his miss at the end of the first period with another successful attempt. His low-effort went through the posts and it was a one-point game once more. Newcastle 9-10 Northampton. On 50 minutes, Northampton moved clear with their second try of the evening. A quick move led to Jon Clarke drawing the last man and releasing Reihana who slid under the home defender to score. Myler couldn't convert but the visitors were in a strong position. Newcastle 9-15 Northampton
Saints second row Callum Clark was then sin-binned on the hour after being adjudged to have tackled Gopperth late. The Falcons took immediate advantage as Gopperth clipped over a penalty after the Saints collapsed the maul and the home side managed to get back into the game again. Newcastle 12-15 Northampton
With just five minutes to play, Newcastle thought they had secured a priceless draw. A dangerous tackle from Mark Sorenson led to the referee awarding the home side another penalty and Gopperth struck again to level the scores to the delight of the Kingston Park crowd. Newcastle 15-15 Northampton
But in the dying embers of the game, the away side broke Newcastle hearts with a last-ditch converted try. Myler's inside ball to Chris Ashton sent the England winger racing away and over in the corner to win the game for the Saints. Myler added the extras to seal a great away victory for Northampton. Newcastle 15-22 Northampton
Thoughts: Northampton will be delighted that they have come through one of three very tough away games with a victory and have moved back above Gloucester into 3rd place. It would have been easy to struggle after the effort they put in against Ulster last Sunday but they have proved once again that they are back on form. Newcastle will be disappointed that they lost the match so late on especially after drawing themselves level with just five minutes to go. However, they will be pleased that they secured a bonus point and moved back above Leeds at the foot of the Aviva Premiership table. They will now be hoping that Leeds do not pick up any points from their trip to Wasps on Sunday if they are hoping to survive.
Newcastle:
Tries: None
Conversions:
Penalties: Gopperth (5)
Drop-goals: None
Northampton:
Tries: Foden, Reihana, Ashton
Conversions: Myler (2)
Penalties: Myler
Drop-goals: None
