The 32-22 victory had seemed unlikely at half-time following a truly appalling first 40 minutes from our team, but they around it around and if the second half was not quite sensational it was at least very good and definitely encouraging.

Although yesterday was a must-win game in which the performance was a secondary concern by some distance, what we saw gives us hope that we might not always need to grind out wins if we are to avoid the drop. The aggression, pace, and dare I say intelligence we showed after the interval were in stark contrast to the tripe served up by the Falcons in the first 120 minutes of the season.

Wilkinson and Ed Williamson, in for the broken-handed Brent Wilson, were the only changes to the XV that started against Sale, and from our first purposeful attack the fly-half kicked a penalty on the left, although Bruce Reihana equalised after it looked like we had put Saints into touch and won a lineout, but not so.

With neither side looking likely to threaten the tryline in the opening 20 minutes, Wilkinson and opposite number Carlos Spencer traded further penalties.

Saints were joining us in playing a kicking game a lot of the time, but had more territory and could have scored the opening try on the left but for a missed pass which an away player kicked into touch. From the lineout, we kicked across the pitch in our own 22 to Rudd – who was being challenged as the home fans watched on in horror!

Rhino caught the ball but was penalised in the tackle, though Reihana missed the resulting kick. However, his next two found their target, the first coming when our last defender was forced to palm the ball into touch to prevent Chris Ashton scoring.

Seconds before half-time Northampton won a penalty and surprisingly ran it towards the left corner, and although the Falcons managed to turnover and move to their left, referee Andrew Small gave our opponents a further chance to extend their lead, but the penalty again missed.

So the Falcons went into the dressing room 6-12 down, accompanied by some boos from the small crowd of only 4,602, which wasn't surprising. I myself wondered for a second whether I might have left then if I hadn't been booked on the 18.06 train.

But just for a second. I preach sticking by your team in the dark times and I practice it too.

And staying looked like being a good choice as the Falcons put together some fluid attacking at the start of the second half. Ollie Phillips looked to have a half chance, but received a high pass and Saints broke forward before we were saved by a penalty.

We all know that for a number of years Newcastle have suffered from an inconsistent lineout, so it is ironic that we stole a Northampton throw in their half, passed the ball across to the right and our last man was the unlikely figure of Andy Buist who went over a tackle to score our first try of the season. Wilkinson kicked the conversion for a precious one-point lead, although the touch judges took what seemed like an age to put their flags up.

This was extended thanks to a penalty when prop Euan Murray was sin-binned, but Reihana hit back after Alex Tait tackled Sean Lamont into touch at the key moment and we lost the lineout.

The Falcons looked to be taking control of the scoreboard when Jamie Noon made a sharp break in the centre of the field and Phillips was set up by Wilkinson on the right to score our second try, a high point on an otherwise frustrating afternoon for the winger.

With an hour gone, the Falcons were 23-15 up, but with this team you never feel they are completely safe, and almost straight from the kick-off Lamont went through two tackles and under the posts to reduce our lead back to a point.

Wilkinson was having none of it however, kicking another penalty.

After home captain Phil Dowson made a key tackle on 30 metres with Noon struggling to cover, Phillips completed a mainly poor display by being sin-binned, although the missed penalty meant we weren't punished further.

Another penalty and a right-footed drop goal from distance by Wilkinson gave us a dreamy ten-point lead, and I for one was extremely relieved when the clock got down to 30 seconds or so and it was impossible for Saints to deny us the win. Their chase for a bonus point also ended fruitlessly.

This win puts us five points above Bristol, two weeks ahead of our eight/ten-pointer against the West County side on Friday week.

And we an now be encouraged by a first win of the season and seeing in the second half what this team can do. Having Jonny Wilkinson back undoubtedly helped, as although his kicking from hand was often as aimless as a lot of that from the rest of the team, his passing and running helped our backs show something of a threat which was completely lacking against Sale.

It wasn't perfect by any means, but I said last week that I didn't care how we won as long as we did, so I'm not going to complain. The result alone made it worth the 8½ hour round train journey yesterday and struggling not to fall asleep at my desk this morning.

Now for Saracens. Anything we pick up there will be a bonus, but we did win there last year, so it's a winnable game. Come on!

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