By Michael Smith
September 1 2002

Saracens started their 2002/03 Zurich Premiership campaign with a BANG as the Men in Black run in 5 tries against the Bristol Shoguns who started as the pundits favourites...

Saracens and their new coach Wayne Shelford start what will hopefully be a winning habit as the Men in Black send the Bristol Shoguns spinning in oblivion with the away team winning 45 points to 30.

Yet more new blood helped Sarries to victory over the West Country club, Andy Goode started his Saracens debut with a personal haul of 20 points. Goode recorded a full house with a try, three conversions, two penalties and a drop goal just for good measure!

On the flip side, Australian and Bristol fly half Shane Drahm kept the home side in the hunt with five penalties and a conversion. Drahm was ultimately helped by England’s new winger David Rees and the ever-present Argentine fly half Felipe Contepomi.

Luckily the Men in Black were firing on all cylinders and with a bigger pack Saracens were able to supply good ball to their lethal back line as Thomas Castaignede, Tom Shanklin and Darragh O’Mahony all scoring tries, these along with Goode not only gave Saracens a famous win but also a vital bonus points, leaving the London club heading the Zurich Premiership table…

Scorers

Bristol Shoguns

Tries: Rees, Contepomi. Cons: Drahm. Pens: Drahm (5). DG: Contepomi.

SARACENS

Tries: Castaignede, Goode, Shanklin, O'Mahony (2). Cons: Goode (3), Castaignede. Pens: Goode (2), Castaignede. DG: Goode.

 

Final Score - Bristol Shoguns 30 SARACENS 45