Newcastle end 18 phases of possession as Michael Young kicks over the top and Saracens have a chance to eat up some minutes themselves with the ball in hand.

Jamie George dives for the line.....

Big booming battering tackle from Newcastle hooker George McGuigan among some scrappy phases.

Newcastle seeing a bit more of the ball, but Saracens right on point in defence.

Into the final quarter now.

Image source, Rex Features

Both Vunipola brothers on now for Saracens with a chance to impress the watching Eddie Jones.

More punishment for Newcastle as the Saracens pack force another penalty at the driving maul.

Saracens stretch their advantage with a simple kick for Charlie Hodgson.

Newcastle penalised for being off their feet at the base only five metres out from their own line.

Newcastle make a few changes of their own now.

Newcastle shoot themselves in the foot as the kick-chase exchange continues.

They fail to move away on the floor on the edge of Saracens' 22.

Another change for Saracens as Ben Spencer makes way for Neil de Kock.

More testing high balls for both Tom Catterick and Alex Goode.

Ben Spencer gets a booming kick going down field and eventually Newcastle are punished for being off their feet on halfway.

Saracens make a whopping five changes as we enter the last half-hour.

Great counter-mauling from Newcastle as that ball moved inside off the Saracens line-out.

Turnover ball at the scrum and Newcastle can clear as Saracens don't drive straight.

Clever crossfield kicking this time from Charlie Hodgson. Mike Ellery doesn't benefit from the bounce in the corner though from the kick-chase.

Saracens have the line-out on five metres instead.

Chris Wyles barges into Tom Catterick as he catches the high ball.

Nothing malicious on this occasion, just accidental and a quiet word from the ref for the USA international.

Image source, Rex Features

Picking up from where we left off before the break, some more kicking for territory from both sides.

Michael Young gets the boot on it over the top at the base to get Newcastle upfield.

Lights in full effect now at Kingston Park and Saracens get punished for not rolling away at the breakdown on Newcastle's 22.

Some treatment from that for Will Fraser. Think it's fair to say he took a knock in a sensitive area.

Right, back in business in the North East as both teams emerge form the tunnel for the second half.

Charlie Hodgson restarts for Saracens....

Talking of football, this afternoon's FA Cup second round ties are coming to a climax.

Some upsets and late drama afoot - all the headlines right here.

Not sure what the scarf and hat wearing Eddie Jones will have made of that so far.

Loads of kicking at one stage and the ball spent plenty of time in the air.

Thought I was watching a non-league football match at times....

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle have a bit of work to do in the second half if they want to avoid an unwanted baker's dozen...

Image source, BBC Sport

And with that referee Andrew Small blows his whistle for the break.

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Newcastle done at the maul for coming in at the side and Charlie Hodgson kicks for goal successfully from just inside halfway.

Nothing comes from it for Newcastle as once more the boot relieves the pressure for Saracens.

Mike Ellery tries to sneaks in down the line but eventually Marcus Watson clears for Newcastle.

Still time for one more line-out before the break.

Jackson Wray now enters Andrew Small's book of infringements as he tries to bring down a maul just inside the Falcons half.

Chance for Newcastle to drive inside Saracens' 22.

Rob Vickers spills it for Newcastle just as they were looking composed in possession.

Big clearance in the end from Saracens but Alex Tait takes the mark.

Some more long-range use of the boot and once more Charlie Hodgson picks out the first few rows.