Saracens qualified for the Parker Pen Shield semi-finals against Bath despite narrowly losing the second-leg of their quarter-final tie against Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park on Sunday.

Although the men in black lost by just two points they secured their place in the last four courtesy of a 60-41 aggregate margin.

Buck Shelford welcomed back Thomas Castaignede after missing the last three games and the French star replaced Adryan Winnan at full-back, while Ben Johnston came in for Kevin Sorrell, Craig Yandell edged out Abdel Benazzi in the second row and Tony Roques was included at the expense of Ben Russell with Kris Chesney switching to number eight.

On the bench, Robbie Russell, the Scottish hooker, was named in the squad for the first time since May last year after recovering from a back operation.

Johnston, the England centre, marked his return to the side with the opening try on 20 minutes after a fine approach work from Castaignede and Bracken. Fly-half Andy Goode missed the ensuing conversion.

The Sarries' forwards held the upper hand throughout the first half and this was confirmed on 33 minutes when a driving maul saw hooker Matt Cairns bundled over with Goode adding the extras to give Sarries an unassailable aggregate lead of 43-10.

Newcastle struck back on the stroke of half-time when Liam Botham scrambled over for a try that Wilkinson expertly converted from the touchline, but it was the visitors who were in the driving seat.

With a 26-point cushion Shelford took the opportunity to give Richard Hill and Johnny Marsters a well-earned break, sending on youngsters Ben Russell and Aston Croall in their place.

The Falcons drew first blood in the second half as number eight Hugh Vyvyan crashed over following a superb team move which comprised several phases. Wilkinson added the conversion to give Newcastle a two-point lead.

Any fears of a Newcastle comeback were alleviated when Tim Horan set up Saracens' third try with a wonderful pass for winger Tom Shanklin to touch down. Goode banged over the conversion and then a penalty on 55 minutes to extend Sarries' lead to eight-points.

Sarries then began to move out of sight on 62 minutes when Horan and Castaignede combined to allow Ben Russell to gallop over from 30 metres, with Goode again converting.

However, with Goode, Cairns and Castaignede all replaced the Falcons began to stage a late comeback, which began with tries from Ian Peel and Matt Thompson following driving mauls.

Both scores were converted by Wilkinson, who coolly slotted over an 82nd-minute penalty to give his side a dramatic victory but it was Sarries who went through.

Saracens: Castaignede, Shanklin, Johnston, Horan, O'Mahony, Goode, Bracken (c), Califano, Cairns, Marsters, Yandell, Hooper, Roques, Hill, Chesney

Replacements: Croall for Marsters, 40; Russell R, B Russell for Hill, 40; Sorrell for Goode, 69; Parkes for Cairns, 71; Sparg for Castaignede, 78; Haughton not used.

January 20, 2003 14:00