Rudd lifts resurgent Falcons

Newcastle Falcons took another step to securing their Guinness Premiership future with a 13-9 victory over Saracens at Kingston Park on Friday night.

Falcons winger John Rudd scored the game's only try as the home side continued their resurgent form with a fourth win in five games in all competitions.

And they had an outstanding second-half display largely to thank for their third consecutive Premiership victory, while Sarries continue to flatter to deceive on the road.

A play-off place now looks increasingly unlikely for the Vicarage Road side after they had enjoyed the better of a scrappy first period.

Control

New Zealand-born fly-half Glen Jackson's penalty put Sarries ahead after three minutes, but neither side could convert pressure into points in the plays that followed.

That was until the 21st minute when Jackson kicked his second penalty after England centre Jamie Noon had infringed in front of the posts.

Fiji winger Ratuvou knocked on with the line beckoning soon after, but Newcastle were reduced to 14 men when winger Rudd was sin-binned for what appeared a reckless tackle on Justin Marshall.

Sarries kicked to the corner and, from the resulting line-out, won a penalty in front of the sticks that Jackson converted to make it 9-0.

The hosts did not seem to suffer from their numerical inferiority, though, and May reduced the arrears with a penalty from the left five minutes before the break.

Turnaround

Newcastle picked up where they left off after the interval and a sustained spell of territory and possession eventually told when Michael Young's quick penalty led to Rudd going over on the right in the 51st minute. May added the extras and the Falcons had the lead for the first time.

The hosts squandered an opportunity to extend their lead when May missed a kickable penalty from the left, but they were let off the hook as former All Black scrum-half Marshall earned a yellow card with little over 10 minutes remaining.

May made his side's advantage tell, kicking a penalty from the right with five minutes to go and, despite a valiant effort from the vsitors, the Falcons held on for a notable win.