Red Bulls give best performance of the season.

Saturday afternoon saw Newcastle Red Bulls return to Gallagher Prem action as they travelled to take on Northampton Saints.

Things didn't start well for Red Bulls when Brett Connon kicked dead from kick off. From the resulting scrum Saints found the edge far too easily and Archie McParland scored, converted by Bellau to take a 7-0 lead. The signs were ominous at this point.

Red Bulls did rally and after McParland kicked straight out, the Red Bulls lineout secured the ball and it found its way to Ollie Leatherbarrow in midfield who cut a lovely line to go under the posts, Connon converted and it was 7-7.

Red Bulls were next to score when clean lineout ball allowed them to play and go wide again. Harrison Obatoyinbo got the ball and did brilliantly to round the defender to score, Connon missed the conversion but Red Bulls lead 7-12.

George Furbank then kicked intelligently to the corner, Red Bulls couldn't secure lineout ball and Saints attacked. Furbank ran into contact and Sammy Arnold and Furbank both got head injuries. Arnold was passive in the tackle but was given a yellow card for high contact, it was correct by the letter of the law but seemed harsh given how passive Arnold was. From the resulting penalty, Saints tapped and went through the phases before finding Ollie Sleightholme out wide to score in the right corner. Bellau converted off the post and Saints led 14-12.

Red Bulls then should've scored, Harrison Obatoyinbo just had to pass to Simon Benitez Cruz and he was in but the pass was poorly executed. As play was about to restart for a Saints scrum, the TMO came in to bring up Adam Brocklebank using the boot on the floor. Referee, Tempest deemed this reckless use of the boot on Curtis Langdon and Brocklebank joined Arnold in the bin. A real coach killer as Red Bulls found themselves down to thirteen men.

Red Bulls did rally when down to thirteen with Freddie Clarke leading the efforts. Saints somehow escaped a yellow card for a deliberate knock on despite it being blatantly obvious. Red Bulls did kick to the corner but got turned over as they attacked.

Red Bulls looked dangerous when they went wide through the Obatoyinbo brothers and Simon Benitez Cruz felt he'd scored but it was deemed as short. During the act of scoring James Ramm infringed and Red Bulls were awarded the penalty but not the penalty try! Yet again Red Bulls can feel aggrieved as potentially Benitez Cruz may've hit the line and it should've been a penalty try if not.

From the resulting lineout, Ollie Leatherbarrow went over but was correctly deemed to have gone over in a double movement. It was crucial that Red Bulls scored as Brocklebank was back on and Saints were down to fourteen men.

After a disastrous start, Red Bulls were good value and arguably should've been ahead at half time but only trailed 14-12. They definitely could feel aggrieved that they didn't get the rub of the green from the officials.

Saints started the second half with more intent and when Belleau broke they threatened to score but Red Bulls rallied defensively and Tom Christie won a penalty. It all went wrong at the lineout and Saints attacked and got another penalty which could quite easily have not been given. From the penalty Red Bulls scrambled really well again and Northampton forced the play, knocking on in the process.

Red Bulls could feel more aggrieved when Northampton were awarded a penalty for Red Bulls not rolling away but the defender was being held in by former Newcastle man Chick. Northampton went to the corner and patiently drove over with Curtis Langdon the try scorer. Bellau converted to take the score to 21-12.

The second half saw Northampton up their line speed in defence forcing an improved Red Bulls attack to think quicker. Northampton did threaten and Furbank threatened to go over but was just short and as the Saints players flew in to clear out, Tempest awarded Red Bulls a penalty for Saints being off their feet to relieve the danger.

Harrison Obatoyinbo made a lovely run down the left hand side and while scrambling, Saints were offside, Connon kicked the penalty to take the score to 21-15 as the game went into the last ten minutes. Saints then played loosely and a bouncing ball found Benitez Cruz who kicked through and picked up to score, Connon missed the kick but the score was now 21-20 and Red Bulls had a huge chance to take a scalp.

With the score at 21-20 Franklins Gardens was nervy and the crowd were into the game for the first time in the afternoon, Red Bulls had rattled the Gardens! But it was Northampton who scored next as Tommy Litchfield sped down the left touchline to score to the relief of Saints fans. Bellau converted to take the score to 28-20 and Red Bulls were out of bonus point reach, undeservedly. Red Bulls then won a penalty which would've been a tough kick so they went to the corner.

From the lineout, Tom Christie drove his way over and Connon converted to make it 28-27 with less than a minute left. Red Bulls would have to go the length to win a pulsating encounter. With Red Bulls under pressure, Connon tried a dink over the defence which was gathered just by Saints who got the ball off the pitch to take a victory.

Red Bulls can be happy with their performance but for some decisions against them it could've been a different result. Benitez Cruz, Harrison Obatoyinbo and Freddie Clarke in his time on the pitch played really well. But in truth this was a team performance from Red Bulls who have something to build on for the rest of the season. Attacking wise they looked more exciting and although Saints weren't at their best they'll be relieved to come away with five points. The Red Bulls set piece in general was solid all afternoon.

Red Bulls will take the two points back to Tyneside and will look to back up arguably their best performance of the season as they host Exeter Chiefs on Friday night.