Saracens 25 Newcastle Falcons 5

ALAN TAIT is convinced that the improved second-half performance against Saracens will be the turning point for Newcastle Falcons.

The Aviva Premiership bottom side lost 25-5 at Vicarage Road, but Saracens did not add to their score in the final 35 minutes of a game where they failed to collect a bonus point and missed three tries to go with the three they did score.

And Tait praised his players for their defiance.

"I'm delighted with their efforts and believe it could be a real turning point for the rest of the season,'' Tait insisted.

"A lot of lads came down and put their hands up, and while we did suffer a few injuries, the boys accept that when you play the big sides you'll have to come to terms with that.

"I also felt we were unlucky when Ally Hogg went over only to have the try disallowed, and it was worse when they went up the other end and scored their third try. That was tough.

"I never thought we would have to battle through the first six games with so many injuries, but the young lads have done very well. Losing James Hudson to suspension is a blow and we have decided to appeal the length of the ban.

"But now we get a couple of weeks in the LV Cup and that's a chance for us to regroup.''

Saracens' rugby director Mark McCall admitted his frustration despite an emphatic victory.

"We made a catalogue of errors and it was very frustrating not to come away with the bonus point, and we left two or three tries out there that should have been taken,'' said McCall.

"But I cannot criticise the players for their efforts. We scored three tries in 45 minutes and have moved up to second in the table.

"We have our World Cup players returning now and they'll get a chance to freshen up before we resume Premiership action in three weeks.

"I actually feel we have done well during the World Cup period, probably because we have not treated players as if they are anything other than Saracens players, not players selected while others are away.

"Once we correct the small errors the scores will follow. I am very pleased with our ambition.''

Joe Maddock scored the opening try after 15 minutes only for Luke Fielden to equalise with a try two minutes later.

But it went downhill for the visitors thereafter as Saracens threatened to run riot with tries by Alex Goode and James Short, while impressive former England fly-half Charlie Hodgson added two conversions and two penalties.

Instead, Saracens tended to over-elaborate or err in their approach work, which meant 35 minutes during which Newcastle put up a defiant and commendable defence.