Saints edge to narrow win over Newcastle

Northampton Saints regained top spot in the Prem table with a hard-fought and often unconvincing 28-27 victory over bottom club Newcastle Red Bulls.

“The Prem Northampton (14) 28 Tries: McParland, Sleightholme, Langdon, Litchfield Cons: Belleau 4 Newcastle (12) 27 Tries: Leatherbarrow, H Obatoyinbo, Cruz, Christie Cons: Connon 2 Pens: Connon Northampton Saints regained top spot in the Prem table with a hard-fought and often unconvincing 28-27 victory over bottom club Newcastle Red Bulls”

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In a performance which displayed layers of rust as the domestic league competition returned for the first time since January, it was the visitors who emerged as the better side on balance of play.

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Yet after holding on to edge a tight contest with four tries to Newcastle's three, it was Saints who emerged with a bonus point win, enough for them move above Bath at the top.

Newcastle, under head coach Stephen Jones for the first time, brought physicality to Franklins Gardens while Saints rested several international stars, including Fin Smith, Henry Pollock, Tommy Freeman and Danilo Fischetti, with Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles also out injured.

Archie McParland opened the scoring for Saints in the first minute, with Anthony Belleau converting, while Ollie Leatherbarrow and Harrison Obatoyinbo replied for Newcastle to move 12-5 ahead.

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A yellow card for a high tackle from Archie Arnold reduced Newcastle to 14, and Ollie Sleightholme levelled.

Newcastle led 14-12 at half-time.

Langdon's 54-minute try extended Saints to 19-12.

A Connon penalty and Cruz try brought Newcastle within a point at 21-20.

Connon's missed conversion from the right flank would have given the visitors the lead.

Litchfield's late try for Saints and Belleau's conversion made it 28-20.

Newcastle surged late as Tom Christie powered over and Connon added two points to set 28-27, but time ran out.

Saints were without several international stars, with Fin Smith, Henry Pollock, Tommy Freeman and Danilo Fischetti rested and Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles out injured.

“The Prem Northampton (14) 28 Tries: McParland, Sleightholme, Langdon, Litchfield Cons: Belleau 4 Newcastle (12) 27 Tries: Leatherbarrow, H Obatoyinbo, Cruz, Christie Cons: Connon 2 Pens: Connon Northampton Saints regained top spot in the Prem table with a hard-fought and often unconvincing 28-27 victory over bottom club Newcastle Red Bulls”

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Sin-bin: Ramm (34) for Northampton.

Newcastle had disciplinary issues, with Arnold sin-binned at 21 minutes and Brocklebank sin-binned at 23; the visitors finished with two players in the bin.

Dowson said it was very tense throughout, and that their set-piece and discipline limited them, though he praised the younger players' growing experience.

He added the experience would be invaluable for the younger players as the rest of the season approaches.

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Jones said he was wonderfully proud of the team’s effort, especially in defense and work rate, but acknowledged the disappointing discipline cards and pledged to improve.