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Guinness Premiership Final '09
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Saracens
Saracens 44 - 14 Newcastle Falcons
Kevin Sorrell
Match Details
Half-Time: 15 - 0
Att: 8,139
Referee:
Venue: Vicarage Road
Date: Sun 21st Sep 2008
Quick Stats
Tries: 7
Conversion: 4
Penalties: 4
Drop Goals: 1
2 0
Previous Meeting
Saracens44 - 14Falcons
Falcons16 - 14Saracens
Saracens19 - 22Falcons
Falcons20 - 14Saracens
Saracens44 - 20Falcons
Stylish Saracens fly past Falcons
Saracens secured their first GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP victory of the season at the third attempt as they overwhelmed Newcastle at Vicarage Road.
Fly-half Glen Jackson kicked 17 points with left-wing Kameli Ratuvou, Kevin Sorrell, Hugh Vyvyan, Rod Penney and Gordon Ross, who also converted the last one, running in second half tries to claim the bonus point.

Newcastle, heavily punished for their indiscipline, were reduced to 13 players midway through the second half when skipper Phil Dowson and back row colleague Ed Williamson were both yellow-carded within the space of a minute.

The influential Jackson contributed 17 of the Saracens points, with four penalties, a drop goal and a conversion - as well as outshining Jonny Wilkinson.

Coach Eddie Jones relied on the starting line-up sunk by a late Charlie Hodgson drop goal at Sale last weekend and his faith in the side which lost their opening two matches by three-point margins was amply rewarded.

Jackson kicked three penalties in the opening 21 minutes as Newcastle fell foul of referee Dean Richards at the breakdown.

The home side, appearing to actually be trying to play too much rugby, failed to produce the penetration to turn their superiority into tries in the first half.

However, Jackson stretched their lead to 15-0 with a pinpoint 30-metre drop goal and a fourth penalty with the last kick of the first-half.

The tries followed after the interval as the home pack, with England lock Steve Borthwick - installed as skipper by Jones - and Welsh international number eight Michael Owen helped the Saracens pack dominate the visitors on their first appearances for their new club at Vicarage Road.

Only a desperate diving tackle by Wilkinson, who had tried in vain to inspire outgunned Newcastle, denied Fijian left-wing Ratuvou a try following a 70-metre run to within stretching distance of the Falcons line.

But he only had to wait a minute before charging down a hesitant kick from Newcastle right-wing Tom May and diving over in the 45th minute.

Ratuvou was heavily involved again as Saracens struck again three minutes later with a superbly-worked try.

Jackson's exquisite crossfield kick found Ratuvou on the wing and he chipped the ball over centre Spencer Davey, collected and drew May and Wilkinson before passing inside to leave Sorrell a run to the line.

Sarries were on a roll and Dowson was despatched to the sin-bin for preventing them from recycling the ball.

Opting for a scrum instead of a penalty kick, the hosts were rewarded when Williamson committed an identical offence and followed his captain.

They again spurned the kick at goal to release Vyvyan, who powered over the line.

The bonus point was clinched in the 66th minute when Saracens produced their fourth touchdown in a devastating 21-minute spell.

Scrum-half Neil de Kock broke from inside his own 22, scythed through the depleted Newcastle midfield and headed for the touchline, committing May and Wilkinson to the tackle before returning the ball inside to lay on the try for right-wing Penney.

Scottish international Ross replaced Jackson at fly-half and rubbed salt into the already deep Newcastle wounds with the home side's fifth try, adding the conversion himself.

The visitors finally hit back with two late tries - but they were little more than a token response.

May's perseverance created an opening for Wilkinson to race in for his 75th-minute touchdown, which the World Cup winner converted.

Then the winger struck himself, with Wilkinson adding a cheeky trademark drop goal for the conversion.

However, this defeat leaves notorious bad travellers Newcastle - who achieved their first Premiership win of the season when they beat Northampton at home last weekend - still without a league win on their travels in 2008.

Head coach Steve Bates has to go back even further for his last win on the road.

Bates, who took over from John Fletcher last season, has not tasted an away victory in charge since his former club Border Reivers beat Glasgow Warriors 20-8 at Firhill in the Celtic League in March 2006.

LINEUPS SCORING SUMMARY TIMELINE
SaracensNewcastle Falcons
SubsScoringNameNo.NameScoringSubs
Replacement off

Richard Haughton 15 Alex Tait
Replacement off

1T
Rodd Penney 14 Tom May 1T


1T
Kevin Sorrell 13 Jamie Noon



Adam Powell 12 Spencer Davey


1T
Kameli Ratuvou 11 John Rudd

Replacement off
1C 1DG 4P
Glen Jackson 10 Jonny Wilkinson 1T 2C

Replacement off

Neil de Kock 9 James Grindal
Replacement off


Matias Aguero 1 Micky Ward
Replacement off
Replacement off

Fabio Ongaro 2 Andy Long
Replacement off
Replacement off

Cencus Johnston 3 Carl Hayman



Steve Borthwick 4 Andy Perry
Replacement off
Replacement off
1T
Hugh Vyvyan 5 Mark Sorenson



Chris Jack 6 Adam Balding
Replacement off
Replacement off

Andy Saull 7 Ed Williamson Yellow card



Michael Owen 8 Phil Dowson Yellow card

Replacements
Replacements
Replacement on

Matt Cairns 16 Matt Thompson
Replacement on
Replacement on

Cobus Visagie 17 Jon Golding
Replacement on
Replacement on

Kris Chesney 18 Andy Buist
Replacement on
Replacement on

Ben Skirving 19 Tim Swinson
Replacement on
Replacement on

Moses Rauluni 20 Hall Charlton
Replacement on
Replacement on
1T 1C
Gordon Ross 21 Ollie Phillips
Replacement on
Replacement on

Chris Wyles 22 Rory Clegg

Penalty Tries
0
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Joe Maddock
Top Try Scorer
Season 2008 - 2009
Joe Maddock
4 tries
Club:
Bath Rugby
Date of Birth:
20th December 1978