Last-gasp Falcons beat Saints, Sale see off Worcester

Newcastle Falcons ended a four-match Premiership losing streak with a dramatic 24-22 victory at Northampton Saints and Sale Sharks edged out struggling Worcester Warriors on Friday.

Tane Takulua celebrates his winning kick. Nerves of steel. pic.twitter.com/CvwtH73byc

— Newcastle Falcons (@FalconsRugby) December 1, 2017

Northampton had also lost four in a row in the top flight before Newcastle made the journey south to Franklin’s Gardens, but looked set to stop the rot until a dramatic finale.

The Saints were clinging on at the death and were unable to stop Nili Latu from crashing over for a try which Sonatane Takulua converted to snatch victory.

Northampton led 22-17 with 10 minutes remaining following tries from England captain Dylan Hartley and Harry Mallinder as well as a penalty try.

Latu and Takulua came to Newcastle’s rescue, though, after Sinoti Sinoti and Josh Matavesi had gone over in the first half of a tense encounter which saw Rob Horne have a try ruled out only 13 seconds in when Ben Foden was deemed to have knocked on.

Sale claimed their first away win since October 2016, beating Worcester 18-14 despite Byron McGuigan’s red card 15 minutes from time.

McGuigan was given his marching orders for a second yellow card offence, but Mark Jennings crashed over five minutes later.