Sarries off mark after crushing Falcons (From Watford Observer)

Sarries off mark after crushing Falcons

4:47pm Sunday 21st September 2008

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Saracens eased to their first win of the season after thrashing Newcastle Falcons 44-14 at Vicarage Road this afternoon.

Newcastle completed the double over Sarries last season but there was no repeat this year as they brushed aside the dreadful opposition. The Men in Black relied on Glen Jackson's kicking in the first half but the tries arrived with interest after the restart as they cantered to the bonus point win.

The hosts made a bright start to the game and were awarded a penalty on four minutes after Adam Powell almost broke clear for the opening try. Jackson calmly added three points to give the hosts an early lead.

More pressure from the Men in Black, after a scrum broke down, brought their second penalty after 17 minutes and Jackson easily kicked between the posts from close range. It took only three more minutes before the fly-half added his third penalty of the match to extend their lead.

The visitors were struggling to create any openings and it took more than 20 minutes before the crowd could have their first real glimpse of Jonny Wilkinson on the ball. And they fell further behind six minutes before the break when de Kock set up Jackson and he accurately kicked over a drop goal.

The Falcons finally threatened from an attack after 37 minutes but their pressure came to nothing after they conceded a penalty to Saracens. Eddie Jones' side ended the first half on a high after Jackson confidently kicked over another penalty from the right edge of the pitch.

Saracens continued their dominance after the restart as Kameli Ratuvou went on a dazzling run which excited the Fez Heads and was only thwarted near the tryline. But minutes later he got his reward with an opportunistic try. Chris Jack played a kick through and Tom May claimed the ball but his clearance was charged down and the Fijian wing dived for the line.

The home side were far too good for the dreadful Falcons and they put the match beyond them with the second try after 48 minutes. Ratuvou was again instrumental in the attack and his run created the opening for Kevin Sorrell. Ratuvou's pass found the centre and his pace proved too quick for the Newcastle defence to catch. But Jackson missed his second conversion of the one-sided match.

The visitors lost their discipline midway through the half when two of their players were sinbinned in as many minutes. First, skipper Phil Dowson was ordered off for holding onto the ball and their afternoon incredibly got even worse when Ed Williamson was also given a yellow card.

With two extra players on the pitch, Saracens were in no mood to let up and they ruthlessly punished their opponents. Neil de Kock's pass allowed Hugh Vyvyan to barge his way through to the line.

The Men in Black secured their bonus point with their fourth try after another blistering breakaway. De Kock burst his way into the Falcons' half with a run down the right wing before releasing Rodd Penney for another easy score.

And they added their fifth try of the lopsided contest when replacement Gordon Ross jinked his way through the shellshocked defence and his persistence paid off as he scrambled over the line.

Not even the rare sight of a late try for Wilkinson could put a smile on Newcastle faces after this hammering. They even added another two minutes from time when May charged down the left wing as Sarries were caught asleep in the last action of the game.

Saracens: Haughton (Wyles, 63), Penney, Sorrell, Powell, Ratuvou, Jackson (Ross, 68), de Kock; Aguero, Ongaro (Cairns, 51), Johnston (Visagie, 63) , Borthwick, Vyvyan (Chesney, 63), Jack, Saull (Skirving, 55), Owen.

Newcastle: Tait, May, Noon, Davey, Rudd, Wilkinson, Grindal; Ward, Long, Hayman, Perry, Sorenson, Balding, Williamson, Dowson.

Scoring: 3-0, 6-0, 9-0, 12-0, 15-0 HT 20-0, 25-0, 30-0, 32-0, 37-0, 42-0, 44-0, 44-5, 44-7, 44-12, 44-14.

Referee: Dean Richards

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