Taine turns tide

Sarries' new resistance was still being stretched to the limit when their No. 8 found himself confronted by another dangerous scenario as Newcastle retrieved a mishit clearance from Thomas Castaignede before unleashing Epi Taione.

What happened next left no doubt that, at 28, Randell is still young enough to make a major impact. New Zealand's captain at Twickenham barely nine months ago and playing for the first time since leading the Maoris against England in New Plymouth in June, he stopped the Tongan in his tracks and seized possession.

Ben Johnston flicked the ball to the unmarked wing outside him and Richard Haughton shot along an empty touchline to score from some 40 yards. Despite Andy Goode missing the conversion, the match had been won.

Under Simon Raiwalui's captaincy, Sarries found the will to survive, holding out for their first away win since Bristol this time last year.

Randell's contribution sent them home convinced that New Zealand have done them a favour in making their recent captain surplus to requirements.

New coach Rod Kafer said: 'We are very lucky to have a world-class player who is in the prime of his career. He's a great signing for the club and the second half showed how much character the squad has got, something for which they have been criticised in the past. That was a real tribute to their fortitude. Good sides win close matches.'

Some convincing will be needed on that point, all the more so given Newcastle's failure. Losing was bad enough. That they did not concede one penalty throughout a heavily one-sided second half and yet still lost is a damning indictment of their elementary mistakes.

Saracens will not care about that. Raiwalui gives their pack what they have lacked in recent seasons, another ball-carrying lock alongside Kris Chesney, whose stealing of a re- start paved the way for the opening try, delivered on his Premiership debut by Paul Bailey, a 21-year-old student summoned at short notice after Kevin Sorrell failed a fitness test.

Raiwalui's burst set up Goode's drop goal, followed by a penalty try when Newcastle's floundering defenders had prevented Sarries taking a quick throw. They should have been made to pay a heavier price, referee Steve Lander allowing Joe Shaw to escape when the Newcastle full back ought to have been binned for flattening Goode.

Tries from scrum half James Grindal and flanker Warren Britz, backed up by four goals from Dave Walder, pulled Newcastle level only for Randell to have the last word.