By Whaley Shark
November 18 2012

 OK, it’s only the LV= Cup and Saracens have put out something less than their first choice side, but we’re desperate to establish the winning habit and, if we have any aspirations towards Heineken rugby next season, the LV= is probably our best bet. So we’re giving it a good go, and it’s also a chance for a proper look at some players who’ve not had much opportunity so far this season.

And we couldn’t have asked for a better start, with Saracens messing up the kick-off and giving us a penalty on their 22, which we put into touch, won the line out and flung out a couple of long miss passes to let Mark Cueto cross on the left after just 4 minutes of play. Sarries were clearly offended though, and put us under pressure in our own half to win a kickable penalty followed, a couple of minutes later by a bullocking run from their loosehead, who broke our defence, and good support play allowed them to go almost the length of the pitch to score. From 5-0 up to 10-5 down in five minutes!

Both sides had chances in the next ten minutes, with one Saracens breakthrough ending up with their player just being held up over the line. They were penalised at the 5 metre scrum to let us relieve the pressure, then they infringed at the lineout to take us into their half, knocked on to give us a scrum and a neat Dwayne Peel chip forced their last defender to run the ball into touch. Our forwards got a good head of steam up and, as Sarries collapsed the rolling maul, the referee had no hesitation in giving a penalty try.

That kept our noses in front until late in the half, when a turnover in midfield let Sarries advance to our 22, and we gave them an easy penalty. Two minutes later, as the clock ran down, loose play in midfield gave them possession back, we kicked deep to relieve the pressure, but they ran the ball straight back, and straight through our defence to score on the right with the last act of the half. Turning round 20-12 down looked a pretty big challenge.

Both sides were lively but inaccurate in the first few minutes of the second half, then Saracens’ lock Eoin Sherriff was binned for lineout naughtiness and we made the advantage tell.  First, we set up a good attacking position on the right and rolled a maul towards the try line. As their defence splintered, Fraser Mackenzie came off the side and battered over the try line. The conversion was good and, a few minute later, when a Danny Cipriani penalty from the Sarries 10 metre line put us back ahead, 22-20. Not that it lasted long. Just a minute later, with Sarries back to full strength, we gave them a penalty and they sneaked back ahead.

The nerves associated with a tight game and the deteriorating weather prevented either side putting a sustained passage of play together for the next ten minutes but, finally, Sarries gave us a penalty on their 22, which Rob Miller converted. Moments later, on the right, Saracens had the chance to pinch the lead back, but the kick drifted wide, and we were able to close out a narrow 25-23 win.

What was good? The forward performance- a decent scrummage, some good rolling mauls and some sterling defence. An assured performance from Cameron Shepherd at fullback- nothing flash but did the simple things well, read the game and has a fair boot on him. Some nice touches from Danny Cipriani.  

What was bad? The midfield defence, I suppose, which was carved open several times, but that might reflect inexperience and unfamiliarity.

And man of the match? I’d give it to Fraser Mackenzie for 80 minutes of hard graft and a well taken try.