Saracens overcome a stubborn Newcastle Falcons side to squeeze out a victory

Saracens overcame a poor start to narrowly beat a stubborn Newcastle Falcons side this afternoon, thanks to a David Strettle try.

Newcastle started well and got an early try after former Saracen Andy Saull found himself at the back of a rolling maul to smash the opposition pack and cross the line. However, Tom Catterick was unable to add the extras.

Charlie Hodgson got Saracens on the scoreboard after kicking a penalty, before David Strettle crossed for the home side after a backs move straight off the training pitch found him unmarked out wide to score. Hodgson converting.

Newcastle hit back a few minutes later though after Alesana Tuilagi went on a trademark run to bulldoze through a couple of Sarries players and over the line. Catterick again failed to convert.

Falcons got the first try after the break to take the lead once again though Will Welch at the back of a rolling maul that took Sarries apart to cross the whitewash. Catterick hit the conversion.

Substitute Ben Spencer kicked three more penalties for Saracens to retake the lead and take the score to 22-17, as the Londoners kept Newcastle pinned back in their own 22 under pressure.

The loss sees Newcastle drop to 11th in the league despite picking up a bonus point, after London Irish picked up a victory over London Welsh earlier to overtake them.