SARACENS survived a gutsy Newcastle come-back at Kingston Park on Sunday to get their Zurich Premiership campaign off to the perfect start with a narrow 25-20 win.

In fact, the two sides were seperated only by a controversial penalty try awarded by referee Steve Lander on 33 minutes when Andy Goode was obstructed after kicking ahead.

Earlier, Academy graduate Paul Bailey went over to put Sarries ahead with Goode adding the extra points from the conversion.

Goode then slotted home a further six points after striking home a penalty and drop goal in quick succesion - followed by the converted controversial penalty try, to put Sarries 20-3 ahead at the break - with the hosts only having a Dave Walder penalty to show for their efforts.

Newcastle finally made their prescence felt after the break with a Jamie Grindal try, converted by Walder, who then struck with a drop goal and also converted a Warren Britz score, levelling the scores before Richard Haughton pounced after Epi Taione was turned over ten metres out to go over.

Newcastle: Shaw, Stephenson, Noon, May, Gollings, Walder, Grindal, Ward, Makin, Hurter, Archer, Andrews, Taione, Britz, Vyvyan.

Replacements: Godman, Charlton, Wilson., Kay, Peel, Hamilton, Dowson.

Saracens: Castaignede, Haughton, Johnston, Bailey, McAvoy, Goode, Williams, Randell, Peacey, Roques, Chesney, Raiwalui, Bergamaschi, Ross, Sparks.

Replacements: Parkes, Croall, Broser, Skirving, Kirton, Sorrell, Winnan.