Andrew draws strength before true test

Newcastle 31 Saracens 29

Newcastle won the match thanks to a last minute penalty goal by Jonny Wilkinson, but it is Saracens who will meet Bath in the semi-finals of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup, having taken the tie with a superior aggregate of 19 points over the two legs.

For Newcastle's director of rugby, Rob Andrew, his team's rousing second-half display should enable him to see some light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel. But unless the Falcons can turn their season around in their next two Premiership matches – against Harlequins and away to Leeds – the campaign will end in tears. It will help that Andrew will have his two latest signings on hand, the Springboks Mark Andrews and Warren Britz, to bolster his pack, especially at the set piece.

Despite their obvious shortcomings, Andrew rated his team's performance in the first leg the best for many weeks. Even though they lost 10-31, they were only four points adrift at half-time. If both Falcons locks, Craig Hamilton and Stuart Grimes, had not been sin-binned after the break, it might have been much closer. But attempting to wipe-out a 21-point deficit, proved too much.

"We were focused on winning the game," Andrew said, "rather than trying to wipe out the deficit. While we're pleased with the win, it's irrelevant in terms of what is to come. We now have eight cup matches in the Premiership, but perhaps our luck is changing."

Newcastle were outpowered by the Saracens forwards and from 21 pieces of primary possession before the interval, they made nine errors. These mistakes cost Newcastle dear.

Mind you, Saracens were equally culpable. They squandered a 15-point lead in the final quarter, which had their head coach, Wayne Shelford, spitting blood: "Good sides don't do that. I'm sick about losing. We allowed them back into the game because we aren't mentally tough enough."

They were in the first half when Ben Johnston and Matt Cairns touched down as Saracens annexed acres of territory and more usable possession than they knew what to do with. But a late try by Liam Botham brought it to 12-7 at the interval. Hugh Vyvyan crashed over soon after the restart, before Saracens looked as if they would run away with it when Tom Shanklin and Ben Russell scored tries. Andy Goode converted both and kicked a penalty to make it 29-14.

But Newcastle were far from done. Ian Peel began the fightback with a try followed by a touchdown from Matt Thompson. Wilkinson's conversions inched them closer before he struck the decisive penalty.

Newcastle: Tries Botham, Vyvyan, Peel, Thompson. Conversions J Wilkinson 4. Penalty Wilkinson. Saracens: Tries Cairns, Johnston, Shanklin B Russell. Conversions Goode 3. Penalty Goode.

Newcastle: J Shaw; L Botham, J Noon, M Wilkinson (P Godman, h-t), M Stephenson; J Wilkinson (capt), J Grindal; I Peel, N Makin (M Thompson, 64), M Hurter (M Ward, 65), C Hamilton, S Grimes, J Dunbar (E Taione, 45), P Dowson, H Vyvyan.

Saracens: T Castaignède (B Sparg, 78); T Shanklin, B Johnston, T Horan, D O'Mahony; A Goode (K Sorrell, 67), K Bracken (capt); C Califano, M Cairns, J Marsters (A Croall, h-t), C Yandell, S Hooper, T Roques, R Hill (B Russell, h-t), K Chesney.

Referee: N Williams (Wales).

Semi-final line-ups

PARKER PEN CHALLENGE CUP

Bath v Saracens
Pontypridd v Wasps

PARKER PEN SHIELD

Castres v Pau
Padova v Caerphilly

Two-legged ties to be played on weekends of 12/13 and 26/27 April.