By Rupert Thacker
October 17 2005

Saracens rose to 6th place in the GP table on Sunday afternoon, courtesy of a 23-11 win against Bristol. Tries from Johnston and Skirving, plus 13 points from Glen Jackson completed the scoring. An error strewn game saw Sarries record a vital 4 point win, but to say it was a classic would be stretching a point. For long periods, Mr Debney’s whistle was the star – not his fault, the players gave him ample opportunity to do so. Brizz were first to score, Sam Cox running through tackles (déjà vu anyone?) to make it 5-0. Not for long though, Ben Johnston scooting under the sticks, 7-5 Sarries. At 8-7 to Brizz (Strange penalty), we then made a complete hash of a 4-on-1 overlap, not only failing to score but managing to turn it over as well. “Scrappy” would be the best way to describe the rest of the half, a Glen Jackson penalty leaving us with a half time score of 10-8.

The second half took on much the same pattern as the first; Bristol putting in loads of effort (but ultimately coming up just a bit short), Sarries defending far better than in previous weeks and looking to execute a simple game plan. And it worked; Brizz got to within 2 points via another Strange penalty, but Sarries always seemed to have plenty of possession to go on and win the game if they so wished. A Skirving try under the posts made it 20-11 with 10 to go and that was that, the final 3 points coming via a Jackson drop goal.

In terms of performance, it wasn’t spectacular but it was effective – a “back to basics” game plan, a real “thinking” performance in terms of execution and, most importantly, a timely nod that the team is remembering how to win ugly. Remember that phrase? It served us well last year and, now we seem to have re-discovered how to do it, it will serve us just fine this season as well.

Some other important facts from today:

The number of points Bristol’s kicker missed : 8 (2 pens, 1 conv)

The price of a good beer (Gems?) in the Wellington : £2.10

Number of Fez in Centenary Terrace who had 2nd pastie : at least 1 (but those pasties were very, very good)

The number of traffic cones on the M4 with no workmen within 15 miles of them : absolutely b****y thousands

Value of Dimes’ Contribution to the Swear Box : £64.50 (minimum; we could only hear half of it on the terrace)

Sightings of Mike Ford in Technical Area with Clipboard : 2

Number of scouts from Biarritz who left early, shouting "Zut alors, this lot are tres bien" : 0

Best Unintentional Comedy Moment : the Bristol PA. Celebrating the penalty which made the score 11-13, they played The Kaiser Chiefs’ “I Predict A Riot”. Just as Ches ran on as substitute…

Spoilsport of the Day : Ashley Rowden. Wave back next time when we ask you to give us a wave! We even had to go into song number 2, “Ashley is our Hero”, in a vain attempt to elicit a wave – but to no avail – the model of impartiality… ;o)

Number of “Laydeez” in Fez Travellers who were blatantly straining to see Axe’s bare torso once he was substituted, without paying any attention to what was going on out on the pitch : 2 (you know who you are!)

Minutes Spent on the pitch by Cobus – the full 80, plus injury time; fit and healthy again, roll on Biarritz.

SCORERS: Bristol: Try: Cox (5min). Penalty goals: Strange 2 (21, 55).

Saracens: Tries: Johnston (10), Skirving (70). Conversions: Jackson 2. Penalty goals: Jackson 2 (36, 47). Dropped goal: Jackson (80+4).

SCORING SEQUENCE (Bristol first): 5-0, 5-7, 8-7, 8-10 (half-time), 8-13, 11-13, 11-20, 11-23.

BRISTOL: B Stortoni; L Robinson, R Higgitt, S Cox, V Going (rep: M Contepomi, 41); J Strange, S Perry (rep: J Rauluni, 41); D Hilton, S Nelson (rep: N Clark, 71), D Crompton, R Winters, G Llewellyn, M Salter, J El Abd, G Lewis (rep: D Ward-Smith, 71).

SARACENS: T Castaignède; P Bailey, K Sorrell, D Harris (rep: B Russell, 69), B Johnston; G Jackson, K Bracken (rep: A Dickens, 62); K Yates(rep: N Lloyd, 60), M Cairns (rep: S Byrne, 60), J Visagie, S Raiwalui (rep: K Chesney, 56), I Fullarton, H Vyvyan, A Sanderson (rep: T Randell, 56), B Skirving (rep: D Seymour, 80+3).

Referee: R Debney.

Attendance: 7,068.