Freeman and Pater each score hat-tricks as Northampton overpower Newcastle on opening night
Northampton beat Newcastle Red Bulls at Northampton’s stadium on the opening night of the Premiership season, with Tommy Freeman and James Pater each recording hat-tricks in a nine-try victory. The result provided the defending champions with a dominant start to the new campaign.
As reigning Prem winners, Northampton began the season with an attack that looked at times unusually slick, issuing an early warning to rivals that they intend to pursue back-to-back titles — something no club has achieved for seven years. The match featured nine tries overall and, as the article put it, there is still a huge amount of rugby to be played between now and next June despite the early statement of intent. Northampton’s fast-moving backs were repeatedly able to create openings against a Newcastle side showing more energy and ambition than in recent times.
Tommy Freeman and 19-year-old James Pater both finished with hat-tricks, while George Hendy produced a powerful early score that the report said underlined his claims for an England squad place. Emmanuel Iyogun, described as newly capped, had a strong game up front that will endear him to national management, and Christian Wade added two further tries for Newcastle. Despite Wade’s finishes, the report noted that at no stage did Newcastle look likely to overturn the early-season odds.
Henry Pollock had what the report termed a relatively quiet night on the pitch apart from a searing second-half break, and his pre-game social media attention over a braided hairstyle and his link-up with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn were mentioned. The piece described Pater as “skinny as a rake” with rare anticipation and vision, suggesting the 19-year-old full-back’s delayed line for his first try on the left and his second score while Newcastle were temporarily reduced to 14 men illustrated why Saints were prepared to part with George Furbank.
Newcastle opened the scoring through Wade but then lost Harrison Obatoyinbo to a sin-bin after a gratuitous trip, which coincided with Northampton finding another gear. Hendy finished a textbook lineout strike and, with Pollock and Pater stretching the cover, Freeman scored a juggling try that secured a try bonus point after 24 minutes. Those phases helped establish a clear home advantage before half-time.
Archie McParland, who missed out on an England summer tour spot through injury, was singled out as looking classy in this match, and Iyogun produced an excellent turnover and a heavy hit on Obatoyinbo. Fraser Dingwall then put Alex Coles away to make it 31-14 at half-time, setting the tone for a second half in which the only question was the size of Northampton’s winning margin.
The report recalled that on Newcastle’s last visit to this stadium in March they had lost 28-27, and added that Newcastle, whose financial outlook has been transformed, introduced Hoskins Sotutu — described as England-qualified and a former All Black — whose early league form will be closely scrutinised by Steve Borthwick. Newcastle added tries through Cam Jordan and Werner Kok, but the last quarter was dominated by Saints ambition: Freeman completed his hat-trick in the 61st minute, Ollie Sleightholme took Northampton to their half century, and Pater finished the scoring.
Phil Dowson and Sam Vesty have said Northampton are looking to improve further this season and that a few injured forwards are still to return, leaving the club with players to reintegrate as tougher assignments lie ahead.