Saracens
Not Saving Ryan's Privates
By Darraghgirl
May 4 2014
There was always going to be a touch of “After the Lord Mayor’s show” about the game today. Saint’s failure to beat Bath on Friday meant we had secured top-spot whatever and Worcester’s Premiership lifeline was a mathematical miracle thread which was never likely to happen.
The strength of team fielded by Sarries surprised many (not least, I suspect Worcester) but I assume Mark McCall wanted to keep the momentum high and everyone on their toes.
The crowd were in holiday mood, everyone still buoyed by the prospect of an exciting May, the sun shone the beer flowed the Karaoke wailed and there was a bit of an unreal feeling about everything. Wigglesworth (the Richard variety) led the team out for his 100th appearance accompanied by his 2 little Wiggies. Alex Goode was making his 150th appearance as was Chris Wyles if he came off the bench. A second Wigglesworth (Tim) had the whistle. Tim has a bit of history you may recall, with a contentious scrum issue down at Castle Grim a few weeks ago. He’s also quite free with his cards. You have been warned!
Sarries were soon on the score sheet when following an attacking scrum, nice work from the brothers Vunipola, in true London bus fashion (where there’s one there’s usually another close behind) got the ball out via the backs to Goode who put Strettle over in the corner for an early try. Goode kicked an excellent touchline conversion (although it was a bit worrying that Faz was playing but not kicking) for a 7-0 lead. Things then went a bit pear-shaped when first Jonny Arr made a dangerous break and a late tackle from Billy was penalised, then Mako (worryingly but hopefully precautionarily) departed allowing Rhys Gill to return. Lamb kicked the 3 points.
From the restart Sarries again were awarded an attacking scrum in the Worcester half. This time Billy came off the back and found Wiggy who passed to Bosch and in a flurry of orange boots, on to Goode and out to Ashton who went over in the corner. Goode just missed the conversion but 12-3 after as many minutes seemed encouraging. It was soon 15-3 when Goode kicked a penalty in front of the posts and we almost forgave another try-scoring opportunity when good work from Goode again put Brits through. He was just hauled down before the line and had the pass gone out wide to the right it was a certain score. Unfortunately the ball went back inside and eventually the attack broke down with a Worcester penalty.
The big screen showed lots of happy people in a large paddling pool, it looked more like cricket in the Caribbean than rugby in Barnet (and apparently it was a hot-tub – just as well in early May!) but the party atmosphere seemed entirely appropriate. Unfortunately no more tries were forthcoming and the crowd were getting a little restive. There was an amusing moment when a clearance from Lamb bounced off the head of an unfortunate spectator (undoubtedly one against the head) – luckily he seemed to be fine. Up stepped Mr Wigglesworth to add his twopennyworth. It started with a seemingly innocuous scrum. Gill seemed to have upset Mr Wigglesworth (on the opposite side to us so we couldn’t see the offence) and a penalty was awarded. The Worcester lineout was chipped ahead into the Sarries 22. Ashton just beat Lemi to the ball which had bounced over the tryline, but despite managing to stay in play he had to touch the ball down and concede a 5m scrum. What then ensued was a mini replay of the Glos-Bath debacle. The scrum lasted almost 7 minutes during which time Gill had really upset Mr Wiggy and was dispatched to the sin bin. James Johnston took his place with Stevens (who was putting in one of his better performances for the club) switching sides (and thus avoiding the uncontested scrum debate) and Barritt taking the sacrificed Fraser’s place in the back row. Eventually after umpteen resets Johnston proved a point and Sarries were awarded the penalty on their own 5 metre line! It was a measure of the crowd’s exasperation that there were chants of “Bosch, Bosch, Bosch”! In the end Goode hoofed it into the Worcester half for a bit of relief.
Worcester then had probably their best period of the game. Jonathan Thomas made a dangerous break forcing Sarries to concede yet another penalty. Lamb kicked for touch and from the lineout Lamb found Pennell who scored. From where we sat the pass looked forward but it was checked by the TMO and the try stood. Lamb added the extras and Worcester, perhaps with a little help from the man with the whistle, were back in it. With just a couple of minutes to go before half time, Sarries finally managed another attack. This time Jackson Wray broke free and brought a little “Wray of sunshine” into the dullness scoring Sarries’ 3rd try. Goode converted with the last kick of the half giving Sarries a more comfortable 22-10 lead.
It was nice to see a bit of tag rugby during the interval although the Karaoke renditions throughout the afternoon were rather more unpleasant!
The second half began with some encouraging attacking play from the big boys, Stevens, Johnston and Billy which unfortunately ended with a Billy knock on. Worcester’s Alex Grove was then guilty of ball watching as he waited for along kick ahead to trickle over the dead ball line and failed to notice Ashton and Strettle bearing down on him. Ashton bundled him into touch for an attacking lineout but sadly Mr Wiggy’s whistle intervened again with 2 Worcester penalties which allowed them to make slow progress back up the field. One interesting little aside. Immediately after Gill returned to the field, Worcester won a scrum – and this time Mr Wiggy gave Sarries the penalty after a huge shove. One point to Gill!
Goode kicked an excellent penalty to extend the lead to 25-10. Ashton was fouled off the ball and our Wiggy made a huge touch with no angle from the kick. Sarries secured the lineout, Brits broke found Wiggy who put Ashton over for his second score in the corner and the bonus point try. Goode missed the conversion but the lead was now a comfortable 30-10. That score signalled the replacements, first Wiggy to loud applause to be replaced by De Kock then George for Brits, Wyles for Farrell, Taylor for Barritt and Brown for Billy. The Vunipola bus was now back in the garage!
It seemed to be all Sarries. Ashton almost got his hat trick when he beat Lemi for pace but Lamb kicked the ball into touch. Sherriff replaced Botha and Johnston returned, this time for Stevens and emptied the bench. Goode slipped a lovely inside pass to Wray who scored his second under the posts for an easy conversion. Ashton intercepted a Worcester ball but with no one on his shoulder was brought down before the line. Bosch seemed to have scored but Mr Wiggy went to the TMO and we all saw a deliberate knock on from Lamb and an accidental one from Sarries. No try but it was Lamb chops for 10 minutes. So what, it was all one way traffic now. Wray appeared from the back of a Sarries’ scrum and scored his 3rd try. Goode again kicked nice conversion and Sarries led 44-10.
Really it was all over and I guess Sarries could be forgiven for loosing a bit of focus however the last 10 minutes where characterised by careless indiscipline and free use of the yellow card. First Fraser had to leave the field with what was hopefully a minor knock and as all the subs were on, Sarries needed to finish the game with 14 men. From a tap penalty, Taulava scored Worcester’s second try. With Lamb off the field, Pennell’s conversion attempt hit the post. Richard de Carpentier broke through the defence with worrying ease but fortunately dropped the ball. Mr Wiggy showed Strettle a yellow card. He appeared as mystified as we were but toddled off for an early bath. Then there were 13! Within a minute De Kock deliberately knocked on and joined Strettle on the sidelines. Then there were 12!
It came as no surprise that Worcester scored second try through Pennell again but once more the conversion was missed. What was surprising was that the 12 men of Sarries ended the game attacking the Worcester try line. They got the ball over the line, it was held up and there was no time for the attacking scrum.
At the end of the day Mr Wigglesworth provided sterner opposition than the Warriors!
Ashton won man of the match as much I suspect for his sparking form over the past few weeks as for his excellent all round performance today both in attack AND defence (were you watching Stuart?). Wray must consider himself a tad unlucky but I doubt if he really cares and I thought Alex Goode had another outstanding game and Matt Stevens put in one of his best performances.
It wasn’t altogether surprising that Sarries didn’t really get out of third gear today – to be honest they didn’t have to! I was, however, a little surprised at the number of penalties awarded against a team who always had the upper hand. With 85 points, Sarries now have the highest ever Premiership points total beating Leicester Tigers 83 in 2002. It wouldn’t surprise me if we didn’t add to it next week. I suspect very few of these players will travel to Welford Road with most of them putting their feet up in front of the telly! In fact there is the interesting prospect of both teams putting out a reserve squad. Leicester have confirmed their semi-final spot but can not catch Saints in second so it probably depends whether they fancy a trip to Allianz or the Gardens in the Semi’s! Although Bath or Quins could still throw a spanner in that little plan. Would make it interesting, though, if neither team wanted to win!
As for Worcester, the mathematical improbability proved to be just that and they will play next season in the Championship. To be honest the only surprising thing is that it has taken Dean Ryan’s side until round 21 for relegation to be confirmed. And today Sarries were not in the mood for saving Ryan’s privates!
SARACENS
Goode, Ashton, Bosch, Barritt (Taylor), Strettle, Farrell (Wyles), Wigglesworth (De Kock), M Vunipola (Gill), Brits (George), Stevens (Johnston), Hargreaves, Botha (Sheriff), Wray, Fraser, B Vunipola (Brown).
WORCESTER
Pennell, Drauniniu, Grove, Symons (Fatiaki), Lemi (Stelling), Lamb, Arr (Hodgson), Fainga’anuku (Andrew), Creevy (Shervington), Murray (O’Donnell), Percival, Galarza, Williams (De Carpentier), Betty (Taulava) Thomas
SCORERS:-
SARACENS:- Tries: Strettle, Ashton (2), Wray (3). Convs: Goode (4) Pens: Goode (2)
WORCESTER:- Tries: Pennell (2) Taulava. Conv: Lamb, Pen Lamb
Attendance 8,247
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth (RFU)
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Stumbleupon04/05/2014 10:27
By the way any offers to do next week's report?
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2014:05:17:10:29:41 by TonyTaff.
Just for your information I'm looking out of my window on the Pacific ocean looking at a flock of cormorants
JO'G - bothered (much!!!!). Have you been on the donkey rides yet
Nous sommes l'armée noir et rouge !
The only blot on the Stevens landscape was yet another penalty for obstruction at an attacking lineout.
Probably the most irritating of penalties to concede.
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
My party have called off the visit to Welford Rd, as we anticipated there would be little riding on the result, so none of us can do the report...
... I heard that sigh of relief!
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!
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