Jackson spoils Falcons Euro ambitions

European Challenge Cup 12/04/09
Saracens 32, Newcastle 13

The feeling of anguish as the Falcons produced their poorest show thus far brought Steve Bates’ Newcastle side down to earth with a bang that shattered all hopes of winning silverware this season. 22 points from Saracens man of the match Glen Jackson left Newcastle reeling after the long journey to Vicarage Road, in a performance that even now thinking about will make Phil Dowson and his men shudder.

For most travelling support the day started at 6am Easter morning, as the Falcons’ early-bird brigade arrived with a sense of optimism ahead of the day’s European clash. In the early hours at Kingston Park you could only just make out the soccer posts which had replaced the usual rugby sticks at both ends of the pitch. As Blue Star were playing their soccer game at the Falcons’ nest, the Falcons’ side travelling down to Watford Football Club saw a different change in goals. Turning their sights from their successful battle against relegation, Newcastle’s new objective was now to turn their recent run of league form into European glory, which would start at Vicarage Road last Sunday.

Newcastle were the first to put the ball through the sticks. Tom May again taking advantage of an early penalty opportunity from 45 meters out. These however were the first points of a half that Saracens would then dominate, with the home side finishing twenty points ahead of their visitors at the interval. Glen Jackson put his side ahead with two penalty kicks in response to May's early ice-breaker, and by the 26th minute prop Census Johnston rolled over the whitewash from a well controlled line-out to hand the fez heads their first try of the afternoon.

No sooner after Newcastle were contemplating how to respond did the Saracens side then increase their lead. Glen Jackson was again fed off the line-out, splitting the pursuing Falcons’ defence with a delicate grubber kick, which was then picked up by Brad Barritt to score an opportunist try under the posts. 23-3 at the half confirmed the Saracens side had their finger firmly on the trigger as the Falcons stared directly down the barrels of a European exit.

All tries point north at Vicarage Road it turns out. After going three scores ahead of their visitors, it was obvious the half-time team talk in the Saracens’ dressing-room involved getting the extra three points to seal the game. An early drop goal opportunity fell to Jackson almost straight away, but this time the ball pulled wide of the posts unlike his effort just before the half. Another twenty minutes of Falcons frustration was then somehow rewarded with a try. A Newcastle break down the right in the 58th minute left the side meters from their opening score, which was elegantly finished as Tane Tu’ipulotu’s cross field kick emerged under Danny Williams to collect and put down.

Still not much for the Falcons support to shout about after May failed to convert and Jackson having already knocked over his third penalty of the day. Either way the south stand faithful could only continue in upbeat fashion, forcing smiles across their faces and reluctantly singing the Blaydon Races 270 miles from home. A last minute try from Captain Dowson could only cancel out two more Jackson penalties, and although the Falcons may have won the second half by a mere point, the first half remained the team’s burden on the afternoon. 32-13 the game ended and Saracens now face a trip to Franklin’s Gardens in the semi-finals.

Back to reality for the men in black then, who may only wish the trip south could be erased from memory. Tane had a strong performance however even when faced with the returning Andy Farrell to the Sarries’ setup. But, slow ball at the breakdown, a poor line-out, and a lack of forward power means the side will need to put right to a many wrongs this week if they wish to end their season at home with a flourish this Sunday. Bath are the visitors looking to continue their pursuit of a top four finish, meanwhile the Falcons will hopefully be shaping up their game plan to continue their winning streak at home.