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Red card for Vunipola doesn't stop Saracens brushing aside Newcastle
By PA
Saracens continued their unbeaten start to the Gallagher Premiership season with a comprehensive 34-14 victory at Newcastle.
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Max Malins crossed twice as Saracens romped to a five-try triumph at Kingston Park, their fourth successive league win.
Falcons were blown away in the first half, conceding 26 points without reply.
The visitors took the lead with three minutes on the clock, Alex Lewington winning the foot race to Elliot Daly’s kick in behind to touch down.
Owen Farrell pushed his conversion attempt wide, but Saracens went further ahead after nine minutes.
Newcastle were punished at the scrum as the Saracens pack drove forward and Kapeli Pifeleti bounced off a pair of defenders to go over, Farrell successful with the conversion.
Alex Lozowski grabbed the third try of the afternoon, once again in the left corner as quick hands from Daly allowed him to dive over, Farrell nailing the conversion from out wide.
Saracens looked a threat every time they came forward as they pinned Newcastle deep inside their own half.
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A fantastic break from Ivan van Zyl saw the scrum-half dart through and a long pass released Lozowski, but he was denied by a great tackle by the covering Adam Radwan.
The bonus point was secured with 10 minutes of the first half remaining as neat play down the right involving Billy Vunipola and Nick Tompkins allowed Malins to cross. Farrell was again successful with the extras.
The second half continued in much the same way, with Saracens on the front foot and playing some excellent free-flowing rugby, albeit without threatening the scoreboard.
They suffered their first setback after 54 minutes as Mako Vunipola was given a red card for a dangerous clear-out, leading with his shoulder on Mateo Carreras.
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But a minute later they added their fifth try of the afternoon as Malins scored a classy try in the right corner after excellent hands from the backs.
Newcastle finally got on the scoresheet after 65 minutes when Tian Schoeman broke clear and found Jamie Blamire for the England international to score, the South African adding the extras.
A rare error from Saracens handed Newcastle their second try.
A knock-on at the back of the line-out was scooped up by Carreras and he scampered in from 30 metres, with Schoeman kicking the conversion.
Farrell added a late penalty as the Falcons were penalised for not releasing in front of the posts.
Carreras thought he had grabbed his second try with a sensational solo effort, but the television match official ruled the ball had gone dead after he raced from inside his own half and chipped over Tompkins.
