Anglo-Welsh Cup: Reigning champions Saracens off the mark with win over Newcastle
Saturday 12 November 2016 17:32, UK
Reigning Anglo-Welsh Cup champions Saracens claimed their first win in this season's competition with a 29-10 victory over Newcastle Falcons at Allianz Park on Saturday.
After losing their opening match to Gloucester last Saturday, tries from Nick Tompkins, Scott Spurling, Jared Saunders and George Perkins helped the Sarries to a bonus-point win. Tom Whiteley added three conversions and a penalty.
Opeti Fonua and late replacement Santiago Socino both scored tries for the Falcons, with Brett Connon adding a conversion and two penalties.
Newcastle, who ended the game with 14 men after Craig Willis was dismissed for a dangerous tackle, remain without a win in the competition having suffered defeat at home to Northampton Saints in their opening match.
Leicester Tigers made it two wins from two with a comprehensive bonus-point 42-3 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons at Welford Road.
The Tigers claimed victory away at Bath last Saturday and effectively ended their contest against the Dragons before the half-time interval after running in four tries.
Two tries from Adam Thompstone and one each from Greg Bateman and Freddie Burns took the game away from Newport, with Burns adding two conversions and a penalty.
Burns kicked another penalty after the break before tries from Ellis Genge and Jack Roberts as well as a conversion from George Worth wrapped up victory for Leicester.
A solitary penalty from Geraint Rhys Jones was all Newport could muster on a miserable afternoon for the away side.
Northampton also made it back-to-back victories, defeating Gloucester 19-13 at Franklin's Gardens, with young fly-half Sam Olver once again the star of the show.
Olver, who scored 14 points in the Saints' 24-16 win away at Newcastle, racked up another 14 point haul as Northampton continued their fine start to the competition.
Charlie Clare ran over Northampton's only try, with the home side surviving a late fight back from Gloucester following tries from Ollie Thorley and Yann Thomas, which added to Billy Burns' earlier penalty.
