Northampton Saints overcome red card to beat Newcastle 36-19

Newcastle 19-36 Northampton Saints, Kingston Park

Northampton Saints delivered a composed and clinical performance to defeat Newcastle Red Bulls 36–19 at Kingston Park in a Premiership clash that saw both drama and quality on display.

The visitors made an electric start, racing into a two-try lead within the first seven minutes. JJ van der Mescht opened the scoring in the second minute, and scrum-half Alex Mitchell quickly added another, with both tries converted by the reliable boot of Fin Smith to make it 0-14.

Newcastle responded through Oll Spencer in the 26th minute, igniting the home crowd, but Van der Mescht’s evening took a twist when he was shown a yellow card on the half-hour mark.

Newcastle took advantage almost immediately, as Amanaki Mafi crashed over in the 31st minute and Brett Connon slotted the conversion to narrow the gap.

Northampton, however, struck back before the interval with Tommy Freeman touching down in the 38th minute, Smith adding the extras to send Saints into half-time leading 21–12.

The second half began with further drama when Van der Mescht received a red card in the 50th minute, reducing Northampton to 14 men.

Newcastle capitalised as Stefan Coetzee scored a try two minutes later, converted again by Connon, closing the deficit to just two points at 21–19. Yet Northampton’s resilience shone through. Edoardo Todaro found his way over the line in the 58th minute to restore the cushion, though Smith missed the conversion and a penalty attempt in the 70th minute.

Smith made amends five minutes later, landing a crucial penalty to stretch the lead to 19-29. Moments later, Northampton sealed the result as Alex Coles crossed in the 76th minute, with Smith converting to maintain his fine kicking return.

The final whistle confirmed a 36–19 victory for the Saints, a result built on their fast start, ability to absorb pressure, and clinical finishing when it mattered most.

Newcastle fought hard and enjoyed moments of dominance, particularly when exploiting their numerical advantage, but the Saints’ control in the decisive final quarter proved too much.