Sarries ease past Falcons

Saracens went second in the Aviva Premiership on Sunday thanks to recording a comfortable 24-9 victory over Newcastle at Vicarage Road.

Their seventh-straight win keeps Sarries in second spot in the Aviva Premiership and maintained the pressure on leaders Leicester as the business end of the season approaches.

It was an eleventh defeat of the season for the Falcons meanwhile, who lie just six points above bottom-placed Leeds Carnegie and must play them on April 9 at Kingston Park.

Saracens opened the scoring in the sixth minute when James Short went over after good work from Alex Goode and Chris Wyles. Goode failed to convert but he soon added a penalty and Saracens began to dominate their opponents.

Fly-half Jimmy Gopperth got Newcastle off the mark with a penalty six minutes before the break but Owen Farrell kicked another penalty for Saracens shortly before the break.

The visitors made an encouraging start to the second half and Gopperth kicked two more penalties to give them hope. However, Farrell booted a long-range three-pointer and the hosts were given a helping hand in the 61st minute when Ally Hogg was sin-binned.

Farrell, who has risen to prominence in style this season, added another penalty with thirteen minutes remaining and Newcastle's hopes were ended moments later when Saracens claimed their second try. Noah Cato embarked on a fine run down the left flank and, although his progress was halted, Jared Saunders followed up to touch down.

The scorers:

For Saracens:
Tries: Short, Saunders
Con: Farrell
Pen: Goode, Farrell 3

For Newcastle:
Pen: Gopperth 3

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Chris Wyles, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 James Short, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Justin Melck, 5 Hayden Smith, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Matt Stevens.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Jared Saunders, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 Hugh Vyvyan, 20 Kelly Brown, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Adam Powell, 23 Noah Cato.

Newcastle: 15 Tom Catterick, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Luke Eves, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Rikki Sheriffe, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Chris Pilgrim, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Will Welch, 6 Tim Swinson, 5 Andrew VD Heijden, 4 James Hudson, 3 James Hall, 2 Matt Thompson, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Grant Shiells, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Mark Wilson, 20 Alex Gray, 21 Micky Young, 22 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 23 Joel Hodgson.

Referee: Martin Fox