 | Newcastle: (8) 13
Tries: Elliot, Finegan
Pens: Walder
Northampton: (20) 32
Tries: Fox, Cohen, Spencer, Clarke, Barnard
Cons: Reihana 2
Pens: Reihana
|
A Carlos Spencer-inspired Northampton swept to a five-try victory over a disjointed Newcastle at Kingston Park. Ben Cohen's try put Northampton into an early lead, but Newcastle hit back soon after through Owen Finegan.
But Spencer's 15th-minute try restored his side's lead, and he used brilliant footwork to set up Pat Barnard for another try and a 20-8 half-time lead.
Jon Clarke and Darren Fox added to Saints' tally, with Anthony Elliot's try a mere consolation for Newcastle.
With the Saints pack on top of the home side, Spencer was able to show off his skills to maximum effect, helping Cohen to power over after just two minutes.
Newcastle responded well though, with Andy Perry's line-out take close to the line converted into points as Finegan was driven over by his team-mates.
Spencer's opportunistic score - latching onto James Grindal's fumble before hacking on 50m - gave his side a deserved lead and flanker Sam Harding should have extended it but dropped the ball as he dived over.
But Spencer's next contribution saw him slalom past three defenders before offloading a scoring pass to Barnard.
Clarke ensured Northampton took a bonus point after Bruce Reihana's inside pass put him through.
Elliot's try showed Newcastle had not given in, but Fox put further gloss on the scoreline with his 79th-minute try for Northampton.
Northampton head coach Paul Grayson
"There's so much pressure involved from about week four and the focus is very much on who's going to go down. "We came into this game 11 points clear of the bottom team (Leeds) and coming into form but there's still that nagging 1% in the back of your mind that says 'if they get a result and we don't then we're back in it'.
"So it's nice to come here, get a good win and hopefully take us once and for all out of that stuff."
Newcastle director of rugby Rob Andrew
"It was our worst performance of the season and it's inexplicable to be honest. "This period has been a little bit disjointed with the Six Nations and I think there's been a little bit of mental and physical fatigue creeping in - especially with the younger players.
"We've got to put it behind us and look forward to the next game."
Newcastle: Burke, Elliot, May, Flood, Phillips, Walder, Grindal, Ward, Long, Morris, Perry, Parling, Finegan, Woods, Buist.
Replacements: Mayerhofler for Flood (40), Shaw for Phillips (54), Charlton for Grindal (62), Williams for Ward (40), Thompson for Long (63), Grimes for Parling (49), McCarthy for Finegan (49).
Northampton: Reihana, Lamont, Clarke, Quinlan, Cohen, Spencer, Robinson, Smith, Thompson, Barnard, D. Browne, Gerard, Tupai, Harding, Easter.
Replacements: Kydd for Spencer (68), Richmond for Thompson (60), Emms for Barnard (56), Lord for Gerard (51), Fox for Tupai (51).
Not Used: Howard, Rudd.
Att: 7,364
Ref: Tony Spreadbry (RFU).
MMIX
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