Newcastle 18 Saracens 23: Alex Tait's late try moves Falcons vital step nearer to Premiership survival

Newcastle pick up vital bonus point in fight against relegation

Premiership leaders Saracens claimed victory over Newcastle at Kingston Park on Sunday but Alex Tait’s late try ensured the home side snatched a vital bonus point in their battle against relegation.

Sinoti Sinoti scored an early try for the Falcons but Tim Streather and Ben Ransom crossed over for Sarries before Tait grabbed a reward for Newcastle four minutes from time. Charlie Hodgson kicked the rest of Saracens’ points with namesake Joel booting two penalties for Newcastle and Phil Godman slotting a conversion.

The home side got off to the best possible start with a try after just three minutes when Adam Powell’s inside pass found Tait arriving at pace just inside halfway, who surged through to link with Mark Wilson and the big No 8 threw out a long pass for Sinoti to score in the corner.

Jack Wilson took out Tait in the air in the eighth minute to earn himself a yellow card, but Saracens showed why they are top of the table by scoring an impressive try while he was in the sin-bin, finished by Streather after some adept handling in the build-up.

In the second half the Falcons pack pressured their opponents and a 57th minute penalty at the scrum led to Joel Hodgson cutting the lead to two points.

But Charlie Hodgson’s penalty eased Saracens 16-11 ahead, but the Falcons had themselves to blame when Sinoti threw a wild pass to no-one 30 metres from the visitors’ line and Ransom raced away for a try.

Newcastle threw everything into attack in the closing minutes in search of a losing bonus point and they were rewarded when Tait scrambled over and the try was eventually confirmed by the television match official.