By Jason Harris
May 15 2003

If only the lineout had worked. Saracens could have put a few more points on Leeds at Vicarage Road on Wednesday night. But another set-piece failure didn't put off the Men in Black who ran the Tykes ragged, scoring six tries on their way to a huge 57-21 victory in the Wildcard Playoff first leg. Tykes boss Phil Davies was without the services of Braam van Straaten, Mike Shelley and several other regulars and it showed. One hack believed that Davies either had great faith in his squad or in London Wasps, who will grant Leeds a place in the Heineken Cup should they dispose of Bath in the Parker Pen Final on 25 May.

Saracens played the game at a frenetic pace and every one of the half dozen scores was a superb, long-distance effort.

Ben Johnston scored the opener after a Tom Shanklin midfield break. This was followed quickly by one for Shanklin himself, dummmying the midfield cover and darting over near the right hand corner.

Finish of the night went to Darragh O'Mahony who turned hapless Leeds fullback Diego Albanase inside out on his way to the line. Ablanese then duly withdrew from the contest after a game he would rather everyone forgets.

The forwards got in to the act early in the second half. Christian Califano went on a 30 metre charge after a brilliant flick on by Tim Horan who had a defender in his face as the football arrived. The Frenchman gave the scoring pass to Kris Chesney, who was in the right place at the right time thanks to getting up after receiving some treatment for a knock. Sometimes you make your own luck, it seems.

Horan then capped off his final home appearance with a run from nearly half way for Sarries' fifth try of the night before Kevin Sorrell rounded off the half dozen in injury time.

Outside half Andy Goode had a great game, even though his kicking from hand wasn't as pin-point accurate as is the norm. He had no trouble at all with this place kicking, though; a 100%, 11 from 11 - the six conversions and five penalties - display for a personal haul of 27 points.

Leeds' now famous never-say-die attitude was there and they scored three tries to reduce the arrears to 36 points. Winston Stanley capitalised on some shabby Sarries play in their own 22 just after the opening Johnston try to bag Leeds' opener and the Canadian international wing doubled his tally with a dubious effort in the second half.

Despite being in a perfect position, touch judge Brian Campsall had his sights fixed firmly on the corer flag instead of the ball and it looked like Stanley may not have grounded properly. But the try stood, as did Chris Hall's effort just before half time after a strong burst from cenrte - and easily Leeds' best player on the night - George Harder.

Saracens coach Wayne Shelford is adamanat that despite a huge 36-point cushion his side will enjoy at the start of the second leg, they will go to Yorkshire to win that game. Phil Davies remains defiant saying that if Sarries can put 50 on the Tykes in Watford, then they could do the same at Headingley.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TRAVELLING TO HEADINGLEY FOR THE SECOND LEG PLEASE CALL RUPERT HOLT ON 07900 888770 OR EMAIL rupertholt@aol.com

COST IS £15 RETURN AND THE BUS WILL BE PICKING UP FROM BRAMLEY ROAD AT 8am AND WATFORD JUNCTION AT 8.30am.