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Saints in dire straits

08/04/2007

Northampton Saints' relegation worries deepened after they slumped to a 16-7 defeat to Newcastle at Kingston Park.

Falcons fly-half Jonny Wilkinson kicked 11 points and Toby Flood scored the only try for the home side to heap misery on the travelling supporters, who are now staring down the barrel of relegation from the Guinness Premiership.

Christian Labit scored for the visitors, which was converted by New Zealander Carlos Spencer, but despite plenty of possession Northampton could find no way past a solid-looking Falcons defensive line.

Newcastle had been in control of the match from the very start after Flood went over in the opening few minutes, with Wilkinson kicking the conversion.

Two further kicks from the reliable left-boot of the England man in blustery conditions, including a tricky 40m effort that sailed through the uprights, gave Newcastle a 13-0 lead at the break.

And despite the best efforts of the Guinness Premiership's bottom side, Saints' only reward for their dominance was Labit's try.

Newcastle's victory moves them 12 points clear of Northampton with two games left.

Saints must now hope to claw back the two-point gap between themselves and second-from-bottom Worcester in their remaining matches, against play-off challengers Wasps and London Irish next Sunday and on April 28th, respectively.

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