Sport
Tuesday 23 September, 2008

Saracens secure first win

Saracens have secured their first Guinness Premiership victory of the season 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.

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.

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