Wilkinson adds sparkle to a classy performance

Newcastle 47 Saracens 18

Newcastle kept on track for a place in next season's Heineken Cup with another blistering attacking display, to blow Saracens away in a seven-try avalanche at Kingston Park, and moving up to fifth in the table. Some of Newcastle's rugby in a 10-minute spell just before the interval and throughout the third quarter was irresistible.

Although Michael Stephenson won the man-of-the-match award for his two second-half tries, it was Jonny Wilkinson who ran the show, constantly wrong-footing the Saracens' tacklers, while kicking from hand with his usual aplomb and slotting five conversions, as the Falcons collected only their fifth bonus point of the campaign.

Newcastle's victory drew extensive praise from their director of rugby, Rob Andrew: "Some of the second half was as good as we've played all season," said Andrew. "Our handling out of the tackle was outstanding. We showed lots of skill and a desire to play the game at width."

Three of Newcastle's tries came from their hard-working pack. None did better than Marius Hurter or Jon Dunbar, while Pat Lam looked much like his old self as the Falcons' forwards went on the rampage to provide Wilkinson and the wide runners beyond him, with skips full of possession.

For the watching Wayne Shelford, who takes over this week as Saracens' head coach, having agreed a three-year contract, there is, as he acknowledged: "Plenty to do. We stood off in the tackle and let them dictate the play. You can't do that, and expect to win."

With a wind blowing straight down the pitch, Saracens, with first use of it, must have considered it worth at least 15 points. In no time they were sitting on a 13-point lead.

Newcastle lost the toss, lost possession from Liam Botham's clearance, and then conceded three points to Luke Smith's opening penalty; all within the space of a minute and 30 seconds. The Newcastle defence were then allowed Kevin Sorrell to open up their midfield for Ben Johnston to cross on the right. Smith's conversion was good, as was his next penalty.

But Newcastle's tackling was becoming perceptibly more destructive and it wasn't long before their growing ascendancy turned the game.

Tries by Dunbar and Hall Charlton, both converted by Wilkinson, gave Newcastle a one-point advantage at the break. Within two minutes of the restart, Hurter had bullocked over for the third, Hugh Vyvyan's touchdown was sandwiched between Stephenson's brace, before Charlton completed the demolition. Kris Chesney returned from a spell in the sin-bin to score Saracens' second try; though it was scant consolation and they are not yet clear of the relegation woods.

Newcastle – Tries Stephenson 2, Charlton 2, Dunbar, Hurter, Vyvyan. Conversions Wilkinson 5, Botham. Saracens – Tries Johnston, Chesney Conversion Smith Penalties Smith 2

Newcastle: L Botham; V Tiugamala, J Noon, T May (D Richardson 19), M Stephenson; J Wilkinson (capt), H Charlton; M Ward (G Graham 51), S Brotherstone (M Thompson 64), M Hurter, H Vyvyan, S Grimes (D Weir 65), P Lam, R Devonshire (A Mower 64), J Dunbar (R Arnold 57).

Saracens: A Winnan; B Johnston, T Shanklin, K Sorrell (R Haughton 59), D O'Mahony; L Smith (T Castaignède 48), K Bracken (capt); L Harbut (M Cairns 54), R Russell; D Flatman, S Hooper, K Roche, K Chesney, T Roques (B Cole 74), B Russell (R Peacey 74).

Referee: R Goodlife (Sheffield).