Wilkinson steals the show for Falcons

By Jason Harris
January 20 2003

England international Jonny Wilkinson was the Newcastle Falcons hero on Sunday when he kicked an 82nd minute penalty to give his side a morale-boosting 31-29 win over Saracens. However, Sarries won the tie 60-41 over the two legs and now face Bath in the semi-finals.

Even though Saracens were never troubled as far as the outcome of the tie was concerned, coach Wayne Shelford said he was "brassed off" about the way Sarries squandered a 15 point lead at the beginning of the final quarter.

Despite the efforts of Jonny Wilkinson to get his back line moving in the first half, Newcastle looked devoid of attacking ideas and Saracens were not troubled by the fumbling, directionless Falcons threequarters.

Sarries opened the scoring on 20 minutes when Ben Johnston was put clear by Andy Goode; the England centre sidestepping his way past the Falcons cover defence on his way to the line.

Even though Goode missed the conversion, Sarries extended their lead when Matt Cairns emerged from under a pile of bodies after a lineout catch-and-drive move. Goode made no mistake with the extras and the Men in European-spec Red were 12-0 ahead.

Very much against the run of play, Newcastle reduced the arrears when Liam Botham squeezed in at the right hand corner flag and his try was converted by Jonny Wilkinson to make the half time score 12-7 to Sarries.

The home side caught Saracens napping at the start of the second half as Hugh Vyvyan's try, a mirror-image of Botham's - and Wilkinson conversion gave the Falcons the lead only a couple of minutes after the re-start.

Back came Saracens, however, and in the move of the match, Tom Shanklin was put clear by Thomas Castaignede after a sweet backline move and the Welsh international outran the Falcons cover to touch down. Goode converted and added a further penalty to put Sarries eight points ahead.

Eight points quickly became 15 when Ben Russell galloped 35 metres to the line, ably supported by Cairns whose presence was just enough to delay the Newcastle defence long enough for the young no8 to score.

Saracens were by now cruising and coach Shelford made some changes to the line up, but not before Newcastle pulled back seven points from an Ian Peel try and the inevitable, it seemed, Wilkinson conversion.

Andy Goode's substitution saw Sarries' midfield shape disappear along with the side's tactical kicking game. More than once Horan and Castaignede, entrusted with the punts for the touchline in the absence of the ex-Leicester man, missed their targets and it was from one of these fluffed penalties that Newcastle's fourth and final tray came.

The Falcons counter-attacked and moved into the Sarries 22. A forward drive took reserve hooker Matt Thompson over. The obligatory goal from you-know-who followed and there was now only one point in the match; Newcastle 28, Saracens 29.

Almost fittingly, as Wilkinson literally ran the show for the home side, the Newcastle outside half was presented with the penalty chance by a foolish offside play by Tony Roques.

The man-of-the-match needed no second invitation and referee Nigel Williams - excellent througout - blew the final whistle to bring down the curtain on an entertaining, if not brilliantly played contest.