Ashton hat-trick sinks Newcastle

Potential England wing Chris Ashton scored three tries for Northampton on Friday night as they cruised to an impressive 28-8 victory over Newcastle at Kingston Park.

Ashton's three tries, along with three penalties and two conversions from Shane Geraghty, helped the visitors rack up an impressive points tally on the road and once again proved their title credentials.

The former Wigan rugby league star dotted down once in the first half and twice in the second to put his team out to a lead while the Falcons could muster just the one five-pointer - through Tom Biggs - in the first period.

Ashton's first try, after just seven minutes came as the result of some quick thinking from Geraghty. The England playmaker took a quick penalty tap just metres short of the home sides line and found his wing in space out wide.

Falcons No.10 Jimmy Gopperth and Geraghty then exchanged penalties before some great play from the Falcons saw Biggs score his try.

The two teams went into the break with the scores level but that would be as good as it got for the home fans unfortunately.

Prop Soane Tonga'uiha created Ashton's second with a good off-load in the tackle on 50 minutes before Geraghty then added a couple penalties to put the Premiership high-flyers well clear.

A clever cross-kick from Geraghty to Ashton in the final 10 minutes gave the game it's final score - wrapping up the match for the Saints and sending the Falcons fans home pretty disappointed.

The scorers:

For Newcastle:
Tries: Biggs
Pen: Gopperth

For Northampton:
Tries: Ashton 3
Con: Geraghty 2
Pen: Geraghty

Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Charlie Amesbury, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Adam Balding, 7 Will Welch, 6 Tim Swinson, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 James Hudson, 3 Carl Hayman (captain), 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Alex Walker 17 Micky Ward 18 Laurence Ovens 19 Josh Afu 20 Ed Williamson 21 Hall Charlton 22 Rob Miller 23 Gcobani Bobo.

Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Neil Best, 6 Phil Dowson, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Santiago Bonorino, 2 Dylan Hartley (captain), 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Regardt Dreyer, 18 Euan Murray, 19 Christian Day, 20 Scott Gray, 21 Alan Dickens, 22 Stephen Myler, 23 Joe Ansbro.

Referee: Greg Garner