Drop Goal Dave

When the Falcons came out at 4.00pm they were fired up and raring to go. The forwards drove hard and repeatedly pushed the Saracens pack backwards until they had created a platform to launch the backs into attack with the defence reeling. They scored two tries, one by James Grindal and one by Warren Britz, and Dave Walder not only converted both but also found time to kick a drop goal. After only sixteen minutes the Falcons had scored 17 points.

Controversy

Unfortunately, the Saracens had come out to play at 3.00pm and, assisted by a controversial decision from the referee, Mr Lander, had scored 20 points before half-time, whilst those Falcons who had turned up early for some match-practice had only scored three points, from a penalty goal in the tenth minute of the game.

Still, with 13 minutes to go the teams were level pegging at 20 each, and the Falcons seemed to be in the driving seat. Then they contrived to waste all the good work since half-time when Epi Taione, stranded in his own half after a downfield clearance by Andy Goode, attempted once too often to charge through the opposition. The ball was lost and came out to England Sevens player Richard Haughton, who had a simple, straight stroll to the Falcons try-line. Despite some good play by the Falcons, the score did not change again and the Falcons had lost their first home game of the season 25 – 20.

Prior to this match the Falcons Director of Rugby, Rob Andrew, had been clear as to the importance of a good start to the season:

"It is crucial we get off to a good start on Sunday" he said, adding "We have two home games to start off with against Saracens and Sale Sharks and it is vital we win both if we are to our achieve our aspirations this season."

Excuses?

After the match, there was a different story to be told. Andrew Blades explained that the team was not yet 'match fit', but that this game would help them achieve that status. Similarly, Blackie confirmed that a number of players were not yet 'game-sharp'. Perhaps they would like to let the fans know when the team will be ready to start the season? And whilst they are at it, perhaps they could explain the purpose of pre-season friendlies? Ah well, one practice game down, 21 to go!

In front of a crowd of 7,012, including a noisy but friendly contingent from Vicarage Road complete with fez hats and big drums, this was indeed, to borrow a cliché, a 'game of two halves'.

Although the Falcons scored first, with a penalty goal after ten minutes, the first half belonged to Saracens. Immediately from the restart after the penalty, the ball was tapped down into grateful Saracens hands, and a series of attacking waves led to a try under the post by Paul Bailey, duly converted by Andy Goode, who had an outstanding match, to give the visitors a 7 – 3 lead. Although the Falcons did threaten the Saracens' line with a number of attacking moves, notably one in which High Vyvyan linked up with Tom May and Ben Gollings, they did not cross the line and the Saracens were able to extend their lead with a Goode penalty on 26 minutes and a drop goal on the half-hour. Then came the controversial decision by Mr Lander.

Penalty try

Shortly before half time, Mr Lander awarded a penalty try to the Saracens. There was some confusion as to the reason for this decision. Many thought that the decision was made as a result of Goode being impeded by Shaw. However, although Goode was clearly impeded by Shaw when he chipped the ball through, he was outside the 22 metre line and there were plenty of Falcons players to provide defensive cover. There was no certainty that either the collision was deliberate or that Goode would have scored had he not collided with Shaw. It emerged after the game that the real culprit was Michael Stephenson. Saracens attempted a quick throw in, which Stephenson prevented whilst standing within the five-metre line. In the eyes of the touch judge the throw in would have allowed a Saracens player a direct run to the line and a certain try. A quick word with Mr Lander and a penalty try was awarded. On such moments can games turn.

With Saracens leading 20 – 3 at half-time, many Falcons supporters fully expected Joe Shaw to be substituted, given that he had failed to catch the ball at a number of crucial moments and was showing vulnerability in defence. However, the only change was the substitution of Marius Hurter by Ian Peel. So much for the pre-match publicity that Marius 'The Unstoppable Prop' would 'crush Saracens'!

Nevertheless, there must have been some strong words spoken in the Falcons dressing room at the break, because a different team emerged for the second half. Whereas the team had attempted to move the ball about and indulge in complex moves in the first half, in the second half there was a simpler game plan. The forwards steamrollered the Saracens pack until they had gained ground, disrupted the defence and provided a platform for the ball to be passed along the back line. And it was a game plan that reaped dividends for sixteen minutes.

First came a try for James Grindal, darting round from the base of a maul after a run by Jamie Noon had been halted, to score a try, duly converted by Dave Walder. Noon and Walder clearly both felt the need to show what they could do, having both missed the cut for Clive Woodward's World Cup squad. Of the two, Walder had the better game, comfortably settling into the boots of Jonny Wilkinson. Four minutes after the try, Walder was perfectly placed to benefit from a platform established by the Falcons pack and kick a drop goal, taking the score to 13 – 20. Noon in contrast seemed too eager to make a telling break and as a consequence ran into trouble too often, when the ball could have been released to Michael Stephenson or to new signing Ben Gollings, both of whom had too little opportunity to demonstrate their pace.

A number of rolling mauls and drives by the Falcons forwards, with Will Kay showing promise whilst on as a blood replacement for Micky Ward, finally resulted in a break by Hugh Vyvyan, who side-stepped the defence before laying off the ball to Warren Britz to score a try. The conversion by Walder levelled the scores at 20 all.

Falcons Pushing for Win

Eager to press on for a victory, the Falcons came close to scoring on a number of occasions, with Walder attempting a drop goal and a long range penalty goal kick to no avail. A great break by Hall Charlton came to nothing when he found himself stranded without any support. Eventually, however, the Saracens cleared the ball downfield and Richard Haughton was able to score the try that wrapped up a sweet victory for the visitors and a bitter pill to swallow for the home side.

The Falcons continued to pressure the Saracens. Even Shaw was playing well and made a couple of telling clearance kicks out of defence. But then the Falcons began to falter. The Falcons line out technique, so dependable in the first half with Garath Archer and Mark Andrews taking turns to collect the ball, deserted them. An opportunity to kick for goal late in the second half was declined for a kick to touch: Walder placed the ball perfectly to give the forwards a line out on the Saracens goal line, but the resultant line out, from which a drive and try seemed inevitable, was inexplicably lost and with it the last chance of salvaging a victory.

Rod Kafer and the Saracens did not travel expecting victory. That they returned south with one was due to the generosity of the Falcons in delaying their start to the season. Let's hope that similar generosity is not bestowed upon Sale Sharks next week.

The scorers

Newcastle Falcons

Tries: Grindal, Britz
Cons: Walder 2
Pen: Walder
DG: Walder

Saracens

Tries: Bailey, Haughton, Penalty try
Cons: Goode 2
Pen: Goode
DG: Goode

Starting Line Ups

Newcastle Falcons			Saracens
1.	Micky Ward		1.	Steven Sparks
2.	Nick Makin		2.	Joe Ross
3.	Marius Hurter		3.	Emiliano Bergamaschi
4.	Garath Archer		4.	Simon Raiwalui (Capt)
5.	Mark Andrews (Capt)		5.	Kris Chesney
6.	Epi Taione		6.	Tony Roques
7.	Warren Britz		7.	Ryan Peacey
8.	Hugh Vyvyan		8.	Taine Randell
9.	James Grindal		9.	Morgan Williams
10.	Dave Walder		10.	Andy Goode
11.	Ben Gollings		11.	Nathan McAvoy
12.	Tom May		12.	Paul Bailey
13.	Jamie Noon		13.	Ben Johnston
14.	Michael Stephenson		14.	Richard Haughton
15.	Joe Shaw		15.	Thomas Castaignède
Replacements			Replacements
16.	Phil Godman		16.	James Parkes
17.	Hall Charlton		17.	Aston Croall
18.	Dave Wilson		18.	Ben Broster
19.	Will Kay		19.	Ben Skirving
20.	Ian Peel		20.	Dan Kirton
21.	Craig Hamilton		21.	Kevin Sorrell
22.	Phil Dowson		22.	Adryan Winnan

Match Officials:

Referee: Steve Lander
Senior Touch Judge: Don Helm
Junior Touch Judge: John Pearson

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Match Preview: Falcons Facing Sarries

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