 | MATCH SUMMARY Northampton 9 (3)
Pens: Reihana 3 Newcastle 16 (13)
Try: Walder
Con: Burke
Pen: Burke
Drops: Walder 2 |
Newcastle fly-half Dave Walder overshadowed Carlos Spencer to lead his side to their first win of the season. Walder started the scoring against the run of play on 12 minutes when he chased his own chip to touch down.
Bruce Reihana pulled back three points for the Saints but Walder's drop goal and a penalty from Matt Burke gave the visitors a 13-3 lead at the break.
Walder kicked another drop but Reihana added two more penalties, one late on, to set up a tense finale.
Walder's assured performance was in stark contrast to that of mercurial New Zealander Spencer, who cut a frustrated figure as knock ons and poor line-out execution led to Northampton's downfall.
And Saints will have to provide their number 10 with better ball if they are to make full use of Spencer's talent.
Saints have now lost two of their opening three games and face the daunting trip to Gloucester next weekend.
However the result was the perfect response for Newcastle coach Rob Andrew, who had criticised his side after the defeat to Bristol last week.
Newcastle boss Rob Andrew: "Walder's a good player but I've been frustrated by his level of inconsistency - he has to take more responsibility.
"It's all about consistency and taking responsibility. We all did that today."
Andrew added: "Jamie Noone looks the best all-round centre in the country at the moment. He's great in defence but he's also a real handful in attack."
Northampton coach Budge Pountney: "Newcastle pulled us apart and if anything they should have scored two or three more tries against us.
"I couldn't fault the endeavour of our players. They gave it their best shot but whether their best is quite good enough, I don't know.
"We lost on a couple of our throws at the line-out but it's in the loose that we've got more work to do."
Northampton: Reihana (capt); Lamont, Clarke, Mallon, Cohen; Spencer, Robinson; Smith, Hartley, Sturgess; Lord, D Browne; Soden, Fox, Easter.
Replacements: Davies for Mallon (70), Howard for Robinson (72), Thompson for Hartley (40), Budgen for Sturgess (54), Lewitt for Soden (70).
Not Used: Rae, Myring.
Newcastle: Burke; May, Noon, Mayerhofler, Tait; Walder, Charlton; Ward, Long, Morris; Perry, Parling; Finegan, Woods, Charvis.
Replacements: Grindal for Charlton (60), Wilson for Ward (60), Paoletti for Morris (52).
Not Used: Mackie, McCarthy, Grimes, Flood.
Att: 12,018
Ref: Roy Maybank (Kent).
MMIX
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