By chinjy
October 6 2016

Round 5 of the Premiership saw Saracens travel to Bristol for a Friday night under the lights. This trend of a ‘match of two halves’ is certainly becoming all too familiar for Sarries fans and once again, the team didn’t disappoint.

The first half was attritional to say the least. A lot of hard work and possession for very few points. Credit to Bristol’s defence mind. Our structural play was fairly unstructured and a few phases led to erros from off loads and lost possession in their 22.

Yet the first score came from a moment of individual brilliance from Loz, a mis-match again a front rower and a lock, quick feet saw the first try and the conversion was good.

The start of Matt Gallagher on the wing, along with Nick Tompkins and Mike Ellery, had a look of a make shift backline and it showed during the match. Bristol had the tactics of highball but nothing really else to be fair. Ellery was having a shocker with two dropped catches and even Billy V, normally so assured under the Gary Owen was off colour.

Half time 10-0. Bristol fans were optimistic, quite the contrary for Sarries fans and management.

The second half saw a significant change in gear in the Sarries attacking play, Phases were faster and slicker, and forced a quite lucky charge down from Loz again. A great finish to dot to ball millimetres before the short in-goal line brought about the second try.

Another great spell in the Bris 22 saw Burger hit a fantastic line and put away Wyles for the third and the bonus point secured from the driving ‘hheeeeaaaave’ maul and who else but Mr Jamie George on the end of it. The icing on the top of a good cake so far was Kruis taking advantage some sloppy possession of the pill. Sarries being turned over 5metres out and almost immediately getting the ball back followed by Kruis flopping over the line.

All in all, a decent showing on a Friday night and a six day turn around especially with a few young players in the backline. Onwards too Wasps and Toulon. Great.