LV= Cup: Saracens beat Newcastle Falcons to reach semi-finals

Ben Ransom: crossed for Saracens

Saracens led 15-8 at the interval after five penalties from scrum-half Ben Spencer, while Newcastle wing Tom Catterick scored the only try of the first half.

But it was one-way traffic after the break.

Two tries from number eight Jackson Wray early in the second-half gave the hosts a comfortable lead, before full-back Ben Ransom and replacement lock Tom Jubb scored a try apiece in the last quarter to secure the bonus-point win and top spot in Pool One.

Newcastle battled hard throughout but ill discipline prevented them from sustaining a realistic challenge.

In wing, Zach Kibiridge, they possessed a promising talent and it was he who created the visitors' only try with Joel Hodgson kicking their remaining three points.

Saracens made a quick start and were ahead after only four minutes when Spencer kicked a simple penalty goal.

Saracens continued to be the better side in the opening period with the visitors conceding a number of penalties in an attempt to stem the tide.

Newcastle lock Sean Tomes picked up a yellow card for offside at a ruck and from the resulting penalty, Spencer extended the lead.

When Newcastle collapsed the scrum in their own 22, Spencer was again on target to give the hosts a 9-0 lead after only 12 minutes.

Against the run of play and with their first attack, Newcastle scored the opening try.

At a scrum 30 metres out, Saracens carelessly lost possession allowing Kibiridge to provide a scoring pass to fellow wing Catterick.

Tomes returned, but still his side continued to infringe with Spencer's fourth kick giving Saracens a 12-5 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Competitive

Newcastle became more competitive and were rewarded when Hodgson kicked an excellent long-range penalty but he crucially missed with two easier efforts.

The penalty count continued to mount allowing Spencer to kick his fifth goal with the last kick of the half to leave Saracens with a 15-8 half-time advantage.

Saracens began the second half strongly and looked certain to open their try account.

Streather carved a huge hole in the Falcons' defence to feed Nick Tompkins. However Nick De Jager failed to collect Tompkins' scoring pass and the chance was lost.

Sustained pressure from the Saracens meant that the first try had to arrive soon and it arrived after 47 minutes when Streather made another telling burst which created a try for Wray.

Saracens maintained their momentum with Wray driving over for his second and with Spencer's conversion, the hosts were out of sight being 27-8 in front.

Streather continued to carve the Falcons' defence apart and he made another break to provide Ransom with a try.

With the final play, Jubb crashed over for the bonus point try which Spencer converted for a match tally of 21 points.