Richards laments poor Falcons start
Newcastle Falcons suffered their 19th consecutive league defeat when they suffered a 35-10 home loss to defending champions Northampton Saints which has left Director Dean Richards lamenting the poor performance.
The Saints, bouncing back from their 20-16 loss to Wasps, ran in three tries in the opening half-hour as Will Hooley, Alex Waller and Ken Pisi all crossed Newcastle's line, with Hooley also kicking 13 points.
Newcastle rallied after the break with Noah Cato scoring a try before Wales wing George North's late touch-down secured a bonus-point win for the visitors.
It looks like being another tough relegation battle for the Falcons as they sit one spot above the drop. Promoted London Welsh are bottom of the table and in the lone drop spot on points difference after also losing their opening three league matches.
Richard, a former England No.8 pulled no punches regarding his side's latest display.
"In the first 28 minutes we were dreadful," he said.
"We sat down at half-time and said, 'Look, what chances have we got?' and everyone thought we might be able to get four tries, or get within a losing bonus point or even get the four points.
"We didn't think they had done anything out of the ordinary. We were just poor in the first 28 minutes.
"We have to have more accuracy in what we're doing and we didn't have that accuracy which is what ultimately let us down in the final 10 or 15 minutes."
Richards, banned from coaching for three years in 2009 for his role in the 'Bloodgate' fake injury scandal that took place while he was in charge of Harlequins, insisted all was not lost for Newcastle.
"I definitely think progress is being made and the quality of players coming through is promising. There's a lot of stardust in there but a lot of youth as well and we need to get that blend right."
Saints boss Jim Mallinder was pleased to see his side back on the winning trail and to get a bonus point into the bargain, although that only came with North's try two minutes from time.
"It's always difficult to come up here and I think to come away with a bonus point is very pleasing," he said.
"It was a little bit disappointing that we didn't go on and get the bonus try earlier but we stuck with it and thankfully got it at the end.
"Will Hooley did very well. It's always difficult as a fly-half coming in and running the team but he did well for us in pre-season when Stephen [Myler] wasn't available and we need to have options."
AFP
