Northampton Saints put on a dominating display against the Newcastle Falcons, clinching a jaw-dropping 61-0 victory at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday. This comprehensive win not only marked the end of the Saints’ three-game losing streak but also demonstrated their potential as Gallagher Premiership champions.
The match began with unwavering energy from the Saints, who quickly asserted their dominance. The Saints opened the scoring just five minutes in as George Hendy set up Alex Coles, who crossed under the posts without resistance.
Trevor Davison, facing off against his former team, made his mark early, crashing over the line for his first try after the Saints pushed forward from close range. Davison added his second try just two minutes later, benefiting from a quick tap penalty by the Saints.
Intensifying their assault, Northampton secured the bonus point within the first 15 minutes when Alex Mitchell caught the Falcons off-guard, tapping quickly and running over untouched. The score escalated as Fin Smith connected with Tommy Freeman to set up Josh Kemeny for another try, ensuing their stranglehold on the match.
Despite being reduced to 14 men after Fin Smith received a yellow card for playing the ball on the ground inside his own 22, the Saints demonstrated resilience and scored their sixth try with Tommy Freeman barreling over just before halftime. By then, the scoreboard read 40-0, demonstrating the Saints’ commanding lead.
After the break, Northampton continued to exhibit their attacking intent. Within just minutes, Tom Pearson scored two tries, making swift runs off scrums, increasing the tally to 50 points with little resistance from the Falcons. The home crowd was buzzing as they witnessed the exceptional performance of the Saints.
Newcastle Falcons struggled to find their footing against the relentless Northampton side. Despite their best efforts, their closest chance at scoring encountered resistance as Hendy dislodged the ball from Ben Stevenson during what seemed like Newcastle’s promising play.
The Falcons’ Director of Rugby, Steve Diamond, addressed the substantial gap between the sides after the match, stating, “We were beaten in every area by a good side, and sometimes it happens. Today just shows the difference between the haves and the have-nots.” Diamond admitted his squad’s inability to cope with the pace and intensity of the reigning champions. He expressed confidence, mentioning the squad’s efforts, but emphasized the need for quality additions to remain competitive.
Despite the challenging defeat, Diamond reaffirmed his trust in the players, recognizing their spirit: “The lads try, I can’t fault them. We need some stronger players, and we haven’t got it at the moment, but they give everything they have.” He commended the squad for competing well last week but acknowledged the challenges of facing consistently top-tier teams.
Finishing on high, Northampton's Rory Hutchinson scooped up the loose ball near their 10-metre line and sprinted it downfield, providing the final blow by scoring the last try of the match. The conversion was made, capping the monumental 61-0 scoreline, symbolizing the Saints’ superb performance and resilience.
Saints’ Director of Rugby Phil Dowson praised the team and their stellar home record, noting, “The performance today has been a testimony to their quality throughout 2024. We aim to continue this momentum as we head forward.” With their final match of the year resulting in twenty wins across their fixtures, the Saints are positioned as formidable contenders as the Premiership season continues.
This game not only serves as fuel for Northampton’s ambitions but also dishes out the stark reality of the differences existing within the Premiership.
