Stephen Myler was acclaimed on Friday night for becoming only the second Northampton player to score 2,000 points, but Newcastle gave the champions an almighty fright with a gloriously spirited and daring performance. The Franklin’s Gardens crowd had come to witness a massacre, but it didn’t materialise. The home fans accorded their England fly-half a thunderous ovation when he reached his personal landmark – emulating the club’s record scorer, Paul Grayson – but they were soon gripped by tension as the visitors took the Aviva Premiership leaders to the wire. Newcastle simply would not lie down. When Myler departed they were 32-10 down, but far from fading away, they launched a stirring late rear-guard action which eventually brought them a bonus point for scoring four tries.
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Northampton Saints beat Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership
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Newcastle gave the champions a fright with a spirited performance
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Saints were far from their best but earned a bonus point win as they bid to retain their title
@placeholder passed the 2,000-point mark by claiming a try, three conversions and two penalties last night.