Saracens
Report: Sarries v Leeds Carnegie
MotM - Hayden Smith
By King Zak
February 21 2011
Pre-match I viewed this game as a potential banana skin for Sarries; it’s certainly the sort of game that they’ve struggled with in recent years. Sarries, riding high and so impressive last week in the win at Franklin’s Gardens cf Leeds, rooted to the bottom of the table with only one league win all season. Leeds are nothing if not resilient; add in the departure of Director of Rugby Andy Key three days before the game and I had a growing suspicion that this may become a war of attrition. It also provided Sarries with a great opportunity to create daylight between themselves and the chasing pack following other results over the weekend.
Leeds kicked off and perhaps the first minute of the game epitomised why Leeds are having such a tough season. Wigglesworth cleared to touch and from the ensuing lineout Thompson (returning from England duty) overthrew the back of the line; Myall kicked the ball across field; Barrow fumbled trying to pick it up and Sarries claimed the lose ball. Farrell kicked behind Hinton who was too slow in getting his kick away; Wyles charged down and Tagicakibau won the race to dive on the ball just before the deadball line. An excellent start for Sarries and the worse possible for Leeds. Goode added the conversion from close to the left-hand touchline and Sarries led 7 – 0 after 2 minutes. Hinton was having a decidedly shaky start to the game and he put his next kick out on the full – perhaps he was still having nightmares after being steam-rollered by Tuilagi the elder, last week.
The opening exchanges were dominated by Sarries and it came as no surprise when they got their second try after 8 minutes. The forwards set it up through a succession of drives towards the Leeds line before the ball was worked to the right and Barritt slipped through a gap in the defence to score from 5 metres out. Goode once again slotted the kick over, this time 10 metres in from the right touchline to make the score 14 – 0.
Leeds were barely allowed to get near the ball never mind touch it in the opening 15 minutes; when they did eventually get their hands on it they were constantly knocked back by a very resolute Sarries defence. We’ve mentioned it before, but this really was very reminiscent of the defence at the back end of last season. They kept their shape and discipline, were very quick off the defensive line as a unit and made every tackle. On the one occasion Leeds did break through, Borthwick did a fantastic job hauling down the rampaging Marco Wentzel.
The one area of concern for Sarries remains the scrum and once again the Sarries pack were deemed to be responsible for most things wrong at scrum time. It’s hard to see exactly what they’re doing wrong much of the time but it’s something most referees seem to be in agreement about. Leeds did get an opportunity to open their account after 19 minutes when Short was penalised for an illegal tackle on a rare counter attack. Jarvis’s kick from wide left never really threatened the posts and Sarries remained fully in control.
Sarries continued to dominate and seemed to be in the mood to ensure they took points from every visit to the Leeds 22. They extended their lead on 24 minutes through a Goode penalty when Leeds were penalised for killing the ball on their own line. This was just to the right of the posts and it was perhaps surprising that Sarries chose to kick rather than going for the try. It did however demonstrate a real determination to keep the score board ticking – on the subject of which we’ve obviously sent the operator away on a course in the last couple of weeks!
Another Goode penalty, this one from about 30 metres head on to the posts gave a score of 20 – 0 after 28 minutes. The game then became a bit scrappy and something of an arm-wrestle between the respective forwards. The first half was drawing to a close as Leeds tried one last attack from half-way. As they worked the ball towards their left wing Short jumped to intercept a floated pass, broke away from the flailing tackle and ran in to score to the right of the posts. It showed a great awareness from the young winger who continues to impress and improve. He seems to have a real awareness of what’s going on around him, knows his way to the try line and doesn’t miss many opportunities to score – probably the reason he starts ahead of Cato. Goode added the simple conversion making the half time score 27 – 0, three tries to the good and in total control. The only real concern was a nasty looking injury to Rhys Gill in the build up to the final try. He seemed to have damaged his shoulder and it was something of a surprise that he was back out for the second half.
The second period began pretty much as the first had – Sarries very much on the front foot. They camped in the Leeds 22, and although they lost Gill on 44 minutes with a recurrence of the shoulder injury, replaced by Saunders, it came as no surprise when they secured the try bonus point two minutes later. More good work by the forwards driving at the line eventually created enough space for Wigglesworth to walk through unopposed from close range. This time Goode’s kick drifted to the left of the posts but Sarries led 32 – 0.
Sarries then decided that their defence needed a bit of a work out and they actually allowed Leeds to have the ball! Leeds did get close to the try line but, in all honesty, never really looked like getting across it. The Sarries defence was excellent with Melck, Saull, Smith and Borthwick to the fore, but I was left with the distinct impression that Leeds lacked the guile to actually create a score. The game drifted in a similar fashion to the middle part of the first half and became disjointed following a raft of changes by both sides. Brits, Stevens and de Kock replaced George, Nieto and Wigglesworth on 50 minutes; Cato came on for Short after 54 and the biggest cheer of the day saw Hugh Vyvyan replace Smith on 57 minutes to equal the premiership appearance record of 232. A fact kindly donated to me by Pot Noodle Horn – thank you! It would be ironic to see him take the lead next week, away at Wasps where Simon Shaw is also on 232.
Despite the changes, I always felt that Sarries would score again. They had a couple of half chances that went begging due to poor passing from Tagicakibau who was promptly replaced by Penney. The real opportunity finally fell to Cato. He was set up by some slick handling across the back line and a superbly timed pass from the excellent, as ever, Joubert. Cato stepped past three would-be tacklers and only had the full back to beat when he fell over. I know ‘slips’ can happen to anyone, but they seem to happen to Cato more than most. I can’t decide if it’s the wrong footwear or because his balance when running doesn’t allow him to change direction easily.
Sarries final replacement saw Jackson Wray come on for Saull and thus ensured everyone got a decent workout. It was perhaps fitting that the outstanding, and understated, Chris Wyles should get the final score. Once again, his work rate was excellent; coming off his wing to act as first receiver, appearing in midfield and never missing a tackle. As Sarries moved the ball right to left on halfway Wyles got the ball in midfield, ran through two defenders, side stepped a third and went outside the fullback to score in the left corner. An excellent finish that Cato could surely learn from. Goode slotted the conversion to make the score 39 – 0 after 72 minutes. The only incident of note in the final 8 minutes was a wrestling match between Borthwick and Leeds’ replacement hooker Nilsen. Quite what it was about I don’t know but it seemed to last for a good 60 seconds or more. A slight concern at the end saw Brits down injured following a trade mark tackle – hopefully nothing more than a ‘stinger’, what ever one of those is!
From a Sarries perspective an excellent win and very much a case of mission accomplished, but for Leeds a real worry. They failed to score, never looked like scoring a try, made too many unforced errors and kicked away possession poorly. They still have to play Falcons twice and I suspect the outcome of those two games will determine who goes down but the portents did not look good for the Yorkshiremen. Their small band of travelling support did their upmost to encourage their team and were still upbeat in the bar afterwards – hope you ‘enjoyed’ your day out and had a safe journey home.
For Sarries, Hayden Smith was voted Man of the Match, a reflection of his excellent work in the line out and relentless tackling around the park. He also carried very well, a side of his game that is improving game by game. Farrell, Goode and Wyles interchanged at first receiver on attack and Farrell’s kicking from hand into the corners ensured Sarries remained on the front foot. Goode’s place kicking was excellent and taking this additional pressure off Farrell seems to help both of them.
It’s onwards and upwards for Sarries and next week’s ‘project’ in High Wycombe.
Saracens: - 15 Goode; 14 Short; 13 Tagicakibau; 12 Barritt; 11 Wyles; 10 Farrell; 9 Wigglesworth; 8 Joubert; 7 Saull; 6 Melck; 5 Smith; 4 Borthwick; 3 Nieto; 2 George; 1 Gill
Replacements - 16 Brits; 17 Saunders; 16 Stevens; 19 Vyvyan; 20 Wray; 21 de Kock; 22 Penney; 23 Cato
Leeds: - 15 Hinton; 14 Blackett; 13 Faafili; 12 Barrow; 11 Stephenson; 10 Jarvis; 9 Fury; 8 Tooala; 7 Fourie; 6 Myall; 5 Wentzel; 4 Browne; 3 Swainston; 2 Thompson; 1 MacDonald
Replacements – 16 Nilsen; 17 Hardy; 18 Gomez; 19 Craig; 20 Rowan; 21 Mathie; 22 Thomas; 23 Burrell
Referee:- Chris White
Attendance:- 6,029
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Stumbleupon21/02/2011 13:11
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011:03:02:10:50:12 by TonyTaff.
I was also a bit nervous that we would do a "London Scottish", but the result was never in doubt.
We havent been able to say that very often in the past
Great win for Sarries, the pack are snapping at our heels.
Looking forward to next week at Pests!
Go Sarries!!
Good reminder about Tagi's passing- it shows the outside centre berth is still up for grabs.
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