In a sensational display of rugby prowess, defending Premiership champions Northampton Saints overwhelmed the Newcastle Falcons 61-0 on Saturday. The Saints, who had suffered three consecutive league losses, needed a resounding win to reignite their title defense aspirations. And deliver they did, in spectacular fashion.
Saints Come Out Storming
From the opening whistle, Northampton seized control of the match. Only five minutes in, George Hendy sliced through the Falcons’ defense on the left flank, drawing in defenders before offloading to Alex Coles who strolled in for the first try. The early score set the tone for the Saints’ utter dominance to come.
Minutes later, prop Trevor Davison, playing against his former club, powered his way over for his first try in Northampton colors. Davison was far from done though, as he would soon bulldoze in for a second score from short range. The 30-year-old, who had never scored a Premiership try for the Saints before this match, suddenly had a first-half double.
Bonus Point In The Bag
Northampton had the all-important bonus point locked up by the 15th minute. Scrumhalf Alex Mitchell caught the Falcons napping, quickly tapping a penalty and sauntering over untouched for the Saints’ fourth try. The home side were in full flow and Newcastle had no answers.
We knew we needed a big performance today to get our season back on track. The boys were definitely up for it from minute one.
– Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson
Freeman and Kemeny Add To The Tally
Flyhalf Fin Smith orchestrated Northampton’s fifth try, exposing a gap in the Falcons’ defensive line before releasing Tommy Freeman. The pacy winger drew his man and sent Josh Kemeny over in the right corner. Freeman then got in on the act himself, powering through some flimsy Newcastle tackling to notch the Saints’ sixth score just before halftime.
- Northampton went into the break with an astonishing 40-0 lead
- The Saints had scored six first-half tries from six different players
Pearson’s Quick-Fire Double
The second half continued in much the same vein, with Northampton relentlessly pressuring the beleaguered Falcons. Back-rower Tom Pearson, a rising star for the Saints, picked up where Davison left off in the first half. The 23-year-old scored two tries in the space of three minutes to bring up the half-century for Northampton.
Pearson’s first score came off the back of a rampaging run from replacement Iakopo Mapu. His second, moments later, was a solo effort as he proved too strong from close range. Pearson’s emergence this season has been a major boost for the Saints as they look to defend their Premiership crown.
Tom [Pearson] has been immense for us. His work rate and ability to find the tryline is exceptional. He’s going to be a big player for Northampton for years to come.
– Saints captain Lewis Ludlam
Hutchinson Hammers Final Nail
Fittingly, it was Northampton’s player of the season Rory Hutchinson who rounded off the scoring. The Scottish center scooped up a loose ball around halfway and showed a clean pair of heels to sprint clear for the Saints’ ninth and final try. A comfortable yet hugely impressive afternoon for the hosts, reminding the rest of the Premiership of their title credentials.
Saints March On
This resounding victory was the perfect tonic for Northampton after a few wobbles in recent weeks. The nine-try demolition job saw them leapfrog Sale Sharks into fourth place on the Premiership ladder. More importantly, it sent a strong message to their title rivals – the Saints are far from a spent force and will take some stopping in their title defense.
For the shell-shocked Falcons, it’s back to the drawing board. Dean Richards’ men had no answer to Northampton’s intensity and execution. They will need to regroup quickly with tough fixtures against Exeter Chiefs and Leicester Tigers on the horizon.
| Northampton Saints | 61 | 0 | Newcastle Falcons |
But today belongs to the boys from Franklin’s Gardens. Powered by the individual brilliance of Davison, Pearson, Freeman, and Hutchinson – and an utterly dominant team display – Northampton reminded everyone just what they are capable of. With the business end of the season approaching, the timing could not be better.
The Saints go marching on. Newcastle, and the rest of the Premiership, have been warned.
