Saracens
Saracens v Quins: A Grand Day Out
Schalk Brits: Rugby Playe
By Darraghgirl
April 20 2010
What a wonderful day to be a Saracen! Blue skies (completely devoid of aircraft), sunshine, Wembley looking fabulous and a feast of rugby. After a long cold winter and even longer hours watching aerial ping pong, the shackles are finally off and the ugly duckling has become a swan.
Spring is here, spring is here,
Life is skittles and life is beer,
I think the loveliest time of the year
Is the Spring, I do, don’t you, I’m sure you do.
Over 47,000 were there to witness a super game. Apparently this gives us the highest aggregate of spectators in the Premiership! But no one knows better than Edward G that most of them are yet to be converted to fully fledged Sarries. However performances like this can only help. The pitch, much maligned by the roundballers last weekend, behaved impeccably, even the referee seemed to have a good game.
The opposition featured both Brown and Clegg but it appeared Cameron had taken the day off. Unlike the TV debate last week, Clegg was likely to be more of a liability than an asset given that he replaced Nick Evans after a late withdrawal due to a hamstring injury.
There was a touching start when the Sarries team emerged with their children in tow (or in Justin Marshall’s case in their arms).
Hougaard, apparently recovered from a kick in the head last weekend began proceedings which led almost immediately to the first Sarries lineout - and first line out loss! In fact they didn’t managed to win a lineout (their own or Quins) throughout the first half! Things looked even more ominous when the first lineout led to a Quins scrum and a penalty against Aguero for not binding which Clegg missed. We appeared to be in a spot of bother - already the set piece was crumbling and we had played barely 5 minutes.
Excellent Sarries defending produced a penalty of their own shortly after which Hougaard cross kicked to Penny on the opposite wing but the ball just beat him into touch. Promising ambition though! But up to this point it had been all Quins. A 2nd Sarries penalty was awarded on halfway. Hougaard didn’t go for goal, for once, but unfortunately missed touch. Quins conceded a lineout on their own 22 which Sarries promptly lost again but an excellent steal by Ernst Joubert and kick ahead by Saull led to another Sarries penalty after Danny Care was isolated. This time Hougaard kicked the points and Sarries were ahead 3-0. The lead lasted precisely 1 minute when Sarries conceded a penalty for pulling down the maul. Danny Care’s dropped goal was way off target but Clegg scored from wide out on the left to level things 3-3.
From the restart Sarries started to run the ball. From a ruck deep in the Quins half Marshall ignored his backs lined up on the right and instead went left where Goode found Brits who passed to Joubert on the wing. A neat pass back inside found Saull on his shoulder. Andy Saull knows the try line when he sees it and the first try was a formality. Unfortunately the conversion wasn’t but after 17 minutes Sarries were 8-3 ahead. Saull hadn’t finished. From the restart our 8th back the extraordinary Mr Schalk Brits collected the loose ball and ran from his own 22 to the Quins 10m line before passing to on to Marshall who in turn found Saull who scored under the posts ensuring that this time the conversion was easy. Barely 20 minutes gone and already 15-3 ahead.
But there’s one thing that makes Spring complete for me
And makes every Saturday a treat for me
All the world seems in tune on a spring afternoon
When we’re punishing Quins in the Park.
Brits was everywhere. A nice take almost put Goode in but the ball beat him into touch. Then Quins made a substitution – none other than trainee vampire Tom Williams went off to be replaced by Ugo Monye – and not a blood capsule in sight. Whatever, Monye made a difference and almost immediately Quins won a penalty when Brits strayed offside which Care took with his trademark quick tap. Clegg carried the ball almost to thr tryline and from the resulting ruck, hooker Chris Brooker picked up the ball and dived over the line for a Quins try. Clegg missed the conversion but Quins were definitely back in it at 15-8.
Another lineout was overthrown (Schalke Brits, Rugby Player needs a bit of throwing practice methinks) and Monye again looked dangerous. Danny Care’s high tackle was penalised but worryingly Hougaard again missed touch. There followed a good period of Sarries pressure with plenty of ball in hand (and mercifully few kicks). Eventually Hougaard could resist no longer but his kick ahead was a good probing one which Monye chased back. Will Skinner incurred the wrath of the referee and a brief lecture for straying offside but Hougaard, who had been on the receiving end of another bang on the head, missed the kick.
From the 22 drop out the ball came back to Hougaard, deep but in front of goal. You could almost see the words “drop goal” flashing through his mind but he resisted the temptation and passed the ball forcing yet another penalty. This time he kicked the goal to give Sarries a 10 point cushion.
With half time approaching, Sarries came under pressure when Alex Goode beat Brown and Strettle players to a kick ahead but was forced to carry the ball over the dead ball line. Mr Fox awarded Quins a 5m scrum. After 2 resets he gave Quins a penalty when Aguero collapsed. Will Skinner must have been watching our past games and went straight for another scrum. Sarries seemed to make a better fist of it but Mr Fox wasn’t happy and gave Quins another penalty for standing up. We were definitely in penalty try territory now. How many more chances would he give us? From the 3rd scrum Mr Fox penalised John Andress for the collapse and Sarries were awarded a penalty thankthelord which Hoofhard hoofed hard into the stands for half time.
An interesting first half. The set piece was awful. We hadn’t won a single line out and had conceded 3 penalties at the scrum. Yet we were 18-8 in the lead and if the good doctor could administer a bit of set piece medicine during the break then all would yet be well.
The “crossbar challenge” at half time proved to be a bit of a misnomer. Obviously the insurers had had a few words and the “challenge” was to kick a rugby ball through a tiny hole in a large Domino’s Pizza Sign. From where I sat the hole didn’t look wide enough but I guess once bitten, twice shy. Anyway Chris went home empty handed and the Sensations didn’t get a free dinner.
The sun’s shining bright
Everything seems alright
When we’re punishing Quins in the park.
The second half started with Burger replacing Saull (who apparently had a sore shoulder) and to the biggest round of applause of the day, Jackson replacing Hougaard. A Quins change saw Sarries’ old boy Matt Cairns replace Brooker (again to warm applause). A lively start from Quins produced a penalty when Aguero strayed offside but Clegg missed another difficult kick and glory be Sarries won a line out!
Jackson was injecting more pace and invention into the backline. Sarries won yet another lineout and Jackson noticed Brits on the blindside wing (well why not). His flat pass saw Brits show a clean pair of heels to the Quins defence and he scored in the corner. Jackson kicked a difficult conversion and Sarries were now leading 25-8 after 50 minutes. Botha came on for Ryder and immediately the scrum looked more secure. Sarries won a penalty. Jackson turned down a difficult kick at goal and went for the corner. Unfortunately the attack came to nothing. De Kock came on for Marshall. Monye thought he’d scored for Quins but the referee had already blown up for a Sarries penalty.
Jackson orchestrated a prolonged Sarries attack which ended in a yellow card for Brown for coming in at the side when Mr Fox’s patience was tested once too often. Jackson thought about a quick one but was prevented from doing so while a very bloody Ceri Jones was replaced by another former Sarrie, Aston Croall. Sarries continued attacking winning a penalty from a collapsed scrum which was looking increasingly solid. Jackson kicked the ball out and although Sarries lost the line out the ball bobbled about and Burger thought he’d scored. Mr Fox wasn’t sure and the TMO was asked to adjudicate. It appeared that Percival got a fingertip to the ball first. Dr V decided Quins had been punished enough and replaced Brits with Ongaro. Sarries were awarded a 5m scrum for the knock on from which the ball was quickly recycled out to Tagicakibau who scored on the left wing. Jackson missed a difficult conversion but no one really cared. Four tries! A bonus point and the win seemingly secure.
We’ve gained notoriety and caused much anxiety
In the Premiership with our games
They call it impiety and lack of propriety
And quite a variety of unpleasant names.
But it’s not an unforgiveable sin
To want to dispose of a Quin.
Quins brought on the cavalry with Johnston, Stevenson and Tiesi replacing Andress, Percival and Lowe. Sarries welcomed back Ratuvou for Powell. Ongaro thought he was Brits and set off down the blindside wing but he doesn’t quite have winged heels and he was quickly brought down. Sarries were now throwing it around for fun. Lealamanua replaced Aguero and Skuse replaced du Plessis who has certainly not looked out of his depth in the Premiership. Brown returned from the sin bin but Sarries’ response was a brilliant interception by captain Ernst Joubert from a Turner Hall pass from which he scored a 5th try. Jackson converted for 37-8.
The final 5 minutes are best forgotten. Sarries lost a bit of focus, took their foot off the accelerator and conceded 2 soft tries, the first to Monye wide on the right after a sustained Quins attack and the 2nd from the restart to Chris York who had replaced Tom Guest after more Quins pressure. Neither try was converted with Brown snatching 2 drop kicks to save time. Brits made a cameo reappearance when Ongaro came off with a nasty looking injury and Quins were pushing hard for a try bonus when Mr Fox blew the final whistle. By the the Mexican wave was happily wafting its way around Wembley. Sarries had run out comfortable 37-18 winners although I guess the good doctor will have words about the lapse at the end.
So we have secured Heineken Cup rugby next year. A win at Northampton will secure a play off spot (a point may be enough depending on what happens to Wasps) and for the first time (in 4 visits to the Gardens) a win seems like a real possibility. Northampton have a midweek game at the Rec (not that the extra fixture seemed to affect them last time) and can only play their England stars for 80 out of the next 160 minutes. We really can look forward to the end of the season and to even more success next year. But boy are we gonna miss Jacko! The position of Fly Half is pivotal. Hougaard is a decent enough player but we won’t make an impression in Europe’s top competition without a top class standoff pulling the strings. It’s asking a huge amount of Alex Goode although I’m not convinced he can’t do it but I would feel a lot happier if another Jacko was on the way! (Unless of course Brits would like to try his hand there?)
So if Saturday you’re free why don’t you come with me
And we’ll punish Northampton in the park
And maybe we’ll do with a pint or two
While we’re punishing Northampton in the park.
With apologies to Tom Lehrer
Footnote to Dr Venter: Saturday’s game is quite an important one! Hougaard’s had 2 bangs on the head in 2 weeks. Wouldn’t you prescribe a week off?
Saracens
Goode, Tagicakibau, Powell (Ratuvou) Barritt, Penney, Hougaard (Jackson), Marshall (de Kock), Aguero (Lealamanua), Brits (Ongaro, Brits), du Plessis (Skuse), Vyvyan, Ryder (Botha), Melck, Saull (Burger) Joubert©
Harlequins
Brown, Strettle, Lowe (Tiesi), Turner-Hall, Williams (Monye), Clegg, Care (Dickson), Jones (Croall), Brooker (Cairns), Andress (Johnston), Percival (Stevenson), Guest (York), Skinner ©, Easter
Scores: (Saracens first)
3-0, 3-3, 8-3, 15-3, 15-8, 18-8, 25-8, 30-8, 37-8, 37-13, 37-18
Saracens:
Tries: Saull (2), Brits, Tagicakibau, Joubert, Convs: Hougaard 1 Jackson (2) Pens Hougaard (2)
Harlequins
Tries: Brooker, Monye, York Pen: Clegg
Att 47,106
Man of the Match: Mr Schalk Brits, Rugby Player extraordinaire.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:29:19:02:52 by Kat.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:20:22:50:49 by Convex Hull.
I didn't know about Hougaards knocks though - hope he's OK and good luck at FG!
Quote:The pitch, much maligned by the roundballers last weekend, behaved impeccably, even the referee seemed to have a good game.
Well, not entirely - it was certainly not the Millennium Stadium but Strettle fell over a couple of times trying to change pace and Monye got lucky in trying to cut back inside just before his try, he actually lost his footing and the tackle missed him, allowing him to jump up and score a consolation.
But we were well beaten.
A voice of sanity and pure entertainment on what is sadly becoming an increasingly petulant forum.
can I suggest the following also " Plagarised", sorry, " Researched" from Tom Lehrer
" When they saw us coming
their defence seemed to try and hide
But they scored at the end
as we tried to commit suicide"
Can you do a report based on Lobachevski next
"Oh What a Circus" is far more appropriate
and not beacuse we lost!
Quote:Worried of Whitton
A Grand Day Out ? NO
"Oh What a Circus" is far more appropriate
and not beacuse we lost!
Have to agree with you WoW, Sarries had the ringmaster and performers and Quins were the clowns!!
Well you started it!!
Marshall found Brits on the blindside wing for Brits' try.
Jordan Turner-Hall was called back when he thought he has scored, not Monye.
Entertaining read
Quote:Worried of Whitton
A Grand Day Out ? NO
"Oh What a Circus" is far more appropriate
and not beacuse we lost!
Thorouhgly enjoyed it myself, thanks for coming anyway
Strange that some visiting supporters (Sinners/Woos/Quins) didn't enjoy the day....nothing to do with losing I expect??
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AnneB
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