Freeman and Pater hat-tricks power Northampton to nine-try demolition of Newcastle

Tommy Freeman and James Pater both crossed for hat-tricks as Northampton Saints dismantled Newcastle Red Bulls 57-26 at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday, signalling the reigning Premiership champions’ intent to defend their title with force.

Saints ran in nine tries in total, with George Hendy, Alex Coles and Ollie Sleightholme also getting on the scoresheet. Fin Smith kicked five conversions and Anthony Belleau added two more as Northampton collected a bonus point inside just 24 minutes.

The hosts were in front after only four minutes, launching a sweeping move from inside their own 22. A short penalty allowed Hendy to make ground down the left flank, and quick recycling created the opening score for Pater. Newcastle responded well — Werner Kok brushed aside two defenders to set up a platform, and a long pass from James Elliott gave Christian Wade a straightforward finish.

The contest shifted decisively when Newcastle full-back Harrison Obatoyinbo was yellow-carded for an attempted trip on Hendy. Northampton punished the numerical advantage immediately, with Pater adding his second before Freeman and Hendy also crossed during the sin-bin period. A Fraser Dingwall break then sent Alex Coles over just before half-time, giving Saints a 31-14 interval lead.

Newcastle’s difficulties deepened early in the second half when prop Pouri Rakete-Stones was sin-binned for a high tackle, and Freeman exploited the space to score his second. Visiting scrum-half Brett Connon had already departed after failing a head injury assessment, further disrupting Newcastle’s rhythm.

The Bulls showed resilience — Cam Jordan scored from close range and Kok crossed with the final play of the match to secure a consolation bonus point — but Freeman completed his hat-trick to put the result beyond doubt before substitute Sleightholme, introduced with seven minutes remaining, seized on a stray pass to race clear on his very first touch.

Wade’s brace took his Premiership try tally to 95, leaving him six short of the all-time record held by Chris Ashton. For Newcastle, who recruited heavily over the summer after finishing bottom last season, there were encouraging signs, but facing the champions in their opener proved a stern examination they were not yet equipped to pass.