The game started with a Saracens error, that’s been a thing a bit this season so far. Falcons took the lead with a penalty for Rory Jennings With less than 2 minutes on the clock.
The first scrum came in the Falcons 22 after they held up a Saracens attack. There was an initial reset as Sir was unhappy with how the scrum was set, Falcons took too long to get the ball out and Ivan Van Zyl stole it. Saracens won a penalty and captain for the day Mako Vunipola chose a quick tap, Falcons were pinged for offside, the line out option was taken, as it was for the next penalty. Falcons got to the ball in the line out but knocked it on. The scrum was reset at the first attempt, and a penalty went Saracens way at the next attempt, Saracens went quickly and had a couple of goes at the try line, before Theo Dan got over ball in hand. Manu Vunipola put the conversion wide.
Saracens had a great attacking spell after a spot of volleyball in the mid field. The end result was Rotimi Segun being bundled into touch after a promising Saracens attack. The passing leading up to that point had been outstanding from backs and forwards alike.
Adam Radwan showed his wheels moments later after Saracens lost the ball, he ran from the Falcons 22, showcasing his football skills as he went, the conversion was good, giving them a 5 point lead.
Van Zyl kicked the ball straight out giving Falcons a line out in the Saracens half, Saracens then gave away a penalty, a long way out but in front of the posts. Jennings had the distance and the accuracy.
Elliot Daly took the quick tap option when Saracens won a penalty from the kick off, the ball was knocked on, another scrum the result. I think both Falcons props went down and Saracens had the penalty Manu V kicked successfully from in front of the posts, taking the points this time.
After some kick tennis rugby Saracens were awarded a penalty as they were prevented from taking a quick line out, it looked like we had a repeat of the Radwan try for the other winger. But the ball had gone his way via a Falcons knock on. Phew! It was funny to hear the ref say ‘you could’ve told me’ As if!
Ivan van Zyl made the most of the next penalty as a big forward came over the ruck to play him. He played the ball and ran at speed to score. The conversion was good which put Saracens in the lead for the first time.
Saracens were awarded a penalty as they tried to exit from the kick off. Daly took the kick, Falcons took the line out ball and then were awarded their own penalty. Jennings took the kick from within the Falcons half. He had the distance not the direction this time.
We had some Saracens magic, starting with Theo McFarland, the ball was sent across the pitch, with Alex Goode and Van Zyl, sadly the scrum half knocked on, and Ollie Hartley’s try was knocked off, rightly.
Falcons were awarded a penalty in the resulting scrum. Alex Goode tried to keep the ball in but knocked on as he did so. Falcons were awarded a penalty in the scrum. The ball was kicked to touch, but the Tee had already been brought on. The kick was an impressive one, the clock had been started and Jennings wasn’t expecting to kick, it was also virtually on the touch line.
Juan Martin Gonzalez who’s been a great signing, had a great run with very little support, but was on the end of a second wind to use his strength to score. Manu V added the extras.
The teams went in at half time with the score on Saracens 22 Newcastle Falcons 15.
Ben Earl started the 2nd half, it was amazing to see him back so quickly, he replaced Gonzalez, who’d had an outstanding first half.
Saracens were awarded a penalty, and had a long run of play before the ball was knocked on and the penalty taken. The kick option was taken and Manu V kicked it successfully.
Falcons were awarded their own penalty once they’d kicked off. Jennings added to his tally.
We had a couple of knock on and a couple of scrums.. Saracens came away with the ball from their put in. The attack resulted in another Falcons knock on. Saracens surged forwards after the scrum, but, the ball was knocked on. The ball was, knocked on, but ultimately a penalty against Saracens.
Jamie George showed he can do anything Theo Dan can as he took the ball forwards through several defenders, to no avail sadly as Falcons were awarded a penalty at the ruck.
Saracens next try was a penalty try, a shame for Earl as he scored just after the whistle went, the referee did apologise to him for ‘taking his try away’. That came with a yellow card for Falcons Callum Chick.
Saracens next score was from a line out, with Mako V back on as an HIA replacement running in from close range to score. the conversion missed.
Radwan and Segun had a collision, deemed a rugby incident, Radwan’s eye was not a pretty sight and I do wonder why he didn’t go off for an HIA.
Daly had made a great contribution to the game, and put in a lovely kick as play was coming to an end, not a 50/20 but deep in the Falcons half. Falcons had a good go at leaving their own 20. But Mako V was deemed to have hit a Falcons player with his shoulder, it was straight to the head and a quick decision was taken to show a red card. The final moments possibly costing Saracens for future games.
The final score was Saracens 37 Newcastle Falcons 19.
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