Saints book cup semi-final spot with big win at Newcastle Red Bulls

It was a third successive maximum haul in the competition for the black, green and gold, backing up big victories against Leicester Tigers and Harlequins.

Saints had conceded a try inside the opening five minutes at Kingston Park, but they responded superbly, notching seven tries in a comfortable triumph.

It means Saints have guaranteed a place in the final four with one pool-stage game, at home to Saracens next Saturday, still to go.

The coaches have managed to find the perfect blend of youth and experience during the past three cup matches, and Saints have racked up a total of 129 points in the process.

They had come back from 19-0 down to win at Harlequins a week earlier, and they had their work cut out again when Newcastle went ahead at Kingston Park.

The Red Bulls penned Saints inside their own 22 and although they initially held out well, wing Harrison Obatoyinbo eventually darted through to break the resistance.

Brett Connon converted well from out wide and Newcastle were 7-0 up after a promising start from their perspective.

Saints kept their cool though and they issued a quick response as Luke Green finished things off after a tidy and persistent period of pressure from the away side.

Anthony Belleau's conversion levelled the scores, and he was adding the extras again soon after as Tom James sniped well to mark his first start of the season with a try.

Saints had worked their way into the game well after the early setback and their physicality was coming to the fore.

Newcastle briefly threatened a response but Saints were soon on the front foot again, kicking a penalty to the corner before piling on the pressure.

It didn't take long for Charlie Ulcoq to stretch to score, with the young flanker grabbing his first try for Saints.

Belleau again converted and the black, green and gold now had some breathing space on the scoreboard.

Saints had the chance to bag the bonus-point try before the break, but Newcastle showed their fight to win the turnover and relieve the pressure that had been building on their line.

There were groans from the home fans as the Red Bulls were struggling to put anything together, with their lack of ball securing stopping them from getting any momentum.

It meant Saints headed in at half-time with a deserved 21-7 lead, and they continued to boss proceedings early in the second period.

It seemed only a matter of time before the bonus-point score arrived, and so it proved as Toby Thame crashed over on the right.

Belleau added his fourth conversion from as many attempts, and the fly-half was soon breaking away in pursuit of a fifth try but Saints couldn't quite take the chance.

It wasn't long until they went over again though as Thame notched his second try of the night following some more excellent interplay from Saints.

Belleau's conversion made it 35-7 and the black, green and gold were really cruising with close to half an hour still to play.

The Saints coaches opted to turn to their bench to add even more freshness to what was already a team full of vim and vigour.

Newcastle were desperate for something to shout about but after kicking a penalty to the corner, they were penalised and Saints escaped.

Max Clark was causing problems for Saints but after he did some hard work, Tom Christie couldn't keep hold of the ball, giving the black, green and gold another let-off.

Saints continued to add even more class to their own team from the bench, bringing on the likes of Archie McParland and George Hendy.

And the talented duo soon showed their ability, carving Newcastle apart as Saints produced a flowing attack, which Hendy finished off.

Belleau converted again, but Newcastle finally got another try on the board when Richard Palframan powered over with 11 minutes to play.

Connon converted and the home side sought some more solace before the end as they continued to push forward.

But it was Saints who scored next as Ollie Sleightholme delivered a fine finish.

Belleau converted but after Sam Graham and Archie Benson were sin-binned, with Saints sinning late on, Newcastle grabbed their third try of the night, through Ollie Fletcher.

Connon converted but that wasn’t enough for the Red Bulls to take anything from the game as Saints celebrated victory and progression to the knockout stages.

Newcastle Red Bulls: 15 Elliott Obatoyinbo; 14 Oli Spencer, 13 Rhys Beeckmans, 12 Cameron Hutchison (Max Clark 40), 11 Harrison Obatoyinbo (Ethan Grayson 26); 10 Brett Connon, 9 James Elliott (Joe Davis 52); 1 Micky Rewcastle (Adam Brocklebank 48), 2 George McGuigan (c) (Ollie Fletcher 60), 3 Murray McCallum (Richard Palframan 48); 4 Jamie Hodgson (Tim Cardall 57), 5 Oscar Usher; 6 Adam Scott (George Bolam 40), 7 Tom Christie, 8 Reuben Parsons.

Saints: 15 James Martin (George Hendy 60); 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Tom Litchfield, 12 Toby Thame; 11 Amena Caqusau (Freddie St John 75); 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Tom James (Archie McParland 62); 1 Tom West (Joe Cowell 51), 2 Robbie Smith (Craig Wright 51), 3 Luke Green (Cleopas Kundiona 51); 4 Ed Prowse (James Bennett 40), 5 Chunya Munga (c); 6 Archie Benson, 7 Charlie Ulcoq (Jack Lewis 51), 8 Sam Graham.

Referee: Hamish Grant

Attendance: 5,501