
Northampton hold-off Falcons comeback for victory
Gallagher PremiershipNewcastle (10) 34Tries: Blamire, Doherty, Hearle, Stevenson, Pepper Cons: Connon 3 Pen: ConnonNorthampton (28) 35Tries: Wright, Green, Smith, Glister, James Cons: Hutchinson, Smith 4
Northampton Saints kept their slim Premiership title defence alive with a five-try victory at Newcastle.Saints fell behind to Jamie Blamire's try but responded with four tries before half-time from hooker Craig Wright, prop Luke Green, Fin Smith and Will Glister, who both came off the bench.Centre Connor Doherty replied for Falcons just after the break before Saints scrum-half Tom James went over to push the visitors out to a 35-15 lead.But they were Saints' last points as Newcastle got back into the game with tries from wingers Alex Hearle and Ben Stevenson to take a bonus point, before Max Pepper's try four minutes from time earned them a losing bonus as well.More to follow.
Newcastle: Obatoyinbo, Hearle, Doherty, Clark, Stevenson, Connon, Stuart; Brocklebank, Blamire, McCallum, Hawkins, de Chaves, Lockwood, Neild, Chick (c)Replacements: Fletcher, Rewcastle, Palframan, Baker, Leatherbarrow, Pepper, Arnold, SpencerNorthampton: Ramm; Litchfield, Odendaal, Hutchinson, Seabrook; Charlie Savala, James; West, Wright, Green; Munga, Lockett, Scott-Young, Pearson, Mapu.Replacements: Walker, Haffar, Millar Mills, Mayanavanua, Augustus, Mitchell, Smith, GlisterReferee: Luke Pearce
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