Stephen Myler passed 2,000 career points for Northampton as the Premiership leaders clinched a thrilling 39-31 victory over Newcastle at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday.
Only Paul Grayson has scored more points for Northampton than Myler, and it was Grayson, as director of rugby, who signed the fly-half from rugby league’s Salford City Reds in 2006.
Myler opened the scoring with an easy penalty on 10 minutes, but it was anything but a straightforward win as Newcastle continued to show just how much they are improving under Dean Richards.
Newcastle came away with a bonus point thanks to four tries from Chris Harris, George McGuigan, Alex Tait and Richard Mayhew.
They could even have stolen a shock victory but tries from Myler, who also kicked 12 points, George Pisi, Calum Clark, Luther Burrell and a penalty try helped Northampton move six points clear at the top.