Saracens snatch 22-17 victory over Newcastle to move second in Aviva Premiership
Last Updated: 02/03/15 11:11am
Three second-half penalties from replacement Ben Spencer were enough for Saracens to snatch a 22-17 win over Newcastle.
Andy Saull and Alesana Tuilagi crashed over for the Falcons in the first half, either side of a David Strettle try, but Saracens entered the break with a slender lead through the boot of Charlie Hodgson.
However, a Hodgson injury meant scrum-half Spencer took over kicking duties in the second half and his three penalties, despite a converted try for Will Welch, secured the victory.
The two sides put on a showcase of enterprising rugby at Kingston Park in December - Juan Socino missing a last-gasp conversion which would have handed the Falcons a draw - and this clash started in much the same fashion.
Saull benefited from a powerful driving maul, formed as a result of Tom Catterick's decision to find touch, and the flanker drove on to put Newcastle ahead within the opening four minutes.
Catterick failed to convert and when Hodgson was presented with a penalty directly in front of the posts, Premiership Rugby's all-time top points scorer reduced the deficit to 5-3.
With just over 10 minutes played, the hosts found more answers after quick hands set up Strettle to dive over in the corner, with Hodgson converting.
However, in a tit-for-tat clash Newcastle soon levelled the scores through the bulldozing Tuilagi. The 34-year-old picked up the ball and charged down the wing, running straight at last man Strettle, whose attempted tackle barely slowed the Samoan down.
Half an hour in, Hodgson's close-range penalty put Saracens back in front by three points, but moments later the fly-half had to come off with an injury to his hamstring.
Neil de Kock had also left the field due to a knock to his head and his replacement, Spencer, would go onto have a vital say in the second half.
Alex Tait's swift break looked to be leading Newcastle to a perfect start and, after numerous phases, another maul formed at the line-out was driven over by captain Welch.
Catterick's first successful conversion of the afternoon gave the visitors a four-point advantage but only a determined defensive effort from the visitors made sure Saracens did not reply immediately.
The Falcons' defence eventually gave away a penalty after 56 minutes which a confident Spencer made no mistake with.
The scrum-half then nosed Saracens ahead five minutes later with another well-taken penalty, this time from the sidelines.
Spencer's third penalty of the afternoon was just as good as his previous, sailing through the posts from 35 yards before the hosts managed to see out the remaining five minutes.
