Saracens
Falcons' Wings Clipped
Jared Scoring
By King Zak
March 28 2011
In the build up to this game I was undecided as to whether Falcons may be tired and deflated following their exertions in the =LV cup over the past two weeks, or Sarries looking a bit ring rusty. Having watched some thrilling rugby in the two televised games on Saturday, I took my seat at Vicarage Road with a sense of optimism for a free-flowing entertaining game.
The first few seconds did not bode well; the usually reliable Gopperth inexplicably hit the kick off directly into touch so it was a scrum to Sarries on half way. The first scrum, predictably, resulted in a freekick, on this occasion to Sarries. Apparently over 60% of first scrums result in either a penalty or freekick. Sarries chose to take another scrum and Falcons went one better this time by conceding a penalty. Goode elected to take a shot at goal but his poorly hit kick fell well to the left of the posts.
Falcons’ error strewn start to the game continued when Catterick kicked too long from near his own 10m line, resulting in another Sarries scrum. The scrum was duly won and Sarries moved the ball smoothly through the backs, although more sideways than forwards. Eventually Goode made a half-break down the left wing, Melck carried the move on before off-loading to Short who had a simple run to the line. A neatly worked try and Sarries were ahead 5 – 0 in the fifth minute. The conversion was tricky, on the left hand 5m line and Goode’s kick drifted across the face of goal. However, it was a confident start by the home team and Falcons could barely get their hands on the ball.
Saracens continued to press and once again pushed deep into Falcons 22 following Farrell’s penalty punt from halfway. The lineout was won and the maul crabbed sideways but inextricably towards the Falcons line. Unfortunately for Sarries the ball was lost as it squirted out from the ensuing ruck 5m from the try line and Falcons were able to clear. That was to prove to be the closest Sarries would get to scoring another try in the first half – not something most in the crowd of 7,135 would have predicted at that point.
The first 12 minutes had belonged entirely to Saracens and the score of 5- 0 seemed scant reward for their dominance. Falcons finally had a chance of points when Sarries were penalised at a scrum on halfway. Gopperth’s kick drifted to the right but it should have served as a reminder to Saracens that they need to score when on top. It was at this point that de Kock was replaced by Wigglesworth, although I didn’t notice any obvious injury. The change seemed to unsettle Sarries and the snap and flow from the base of the breakdown was lost.
The game fell into a bit of a kick fest, most of it pretty effective. One notable example came from Goode. Having called a mark 5m in from the right touchline, he hit the resulting kick to just outside the Falcons 22 – a splendid effort given the narrow angle. He also had an opportunity to extend the lead when Falcons were caught offside just outside their own 22; the kick was successful and Sarries led 8 – 0 after 25 minutes. They continued to try to move the ball through hands, with Strettle, Wyles and Goode prominent, but they never managed to create a real opening and were always lacking in support for the ball carrier. When Falcons finally managed to get the ball and threaten the Sarries 22, they found a wall of defiance – typified by a shuddering Brits tackle on Fitzpatrick causing a knock on and yet another Sarries penalty from the resulting scrum.
However, it appeared that Sarries were becoming frustrated at their in ability to create any real opportunities; a feeling reinforced by a misunderstanding between Saull and Melck resulting in the ball being dropped on halfway. Fortunately, the scrum was enjoying full dominance and a huge effort from the front five resulted in yet another penalty. Once again, Goode’s effort went to the left of the posts and the frustration levels went up a few more notches. This went higher when Sarries were penalised for offside and Gopperth made no mistake from 40 metres; 8–3 after 34 minutes.
Sarries were given the last scoring opportunity of the half with a penalty 40 metres out, 15m in from the right touchline. The kicking duty was passed to Farrell and his kick sailed between the posts – half time 11–3 to the home side.
The second half saw Kelly Brown replace Justin Melck, who seemed to have picked up a hand injury towards the end of the first half, and Youngs came on for Pilgrim at scrum half for Falcons. Falcons started the half with much more purpose and drove deep into the Sarries 22 with a maul from a lineout. Sarries eventually infringed and Gopperth slotted the penalty from in front of the posts; 11-6 after 43 minutes.
Sarries responded well when Strettle chased a kick from Farrell. Catterick fielded the ball in his 22, followed a split second later by the arrival of Strettle who bundled the fullback into touch 10m from the Falcons line. Once again though, poor handling eventually let Sarries down, on this occasion Brits, allowing Falcons to clear. Newcastle rang the changes and their tenacity was rewarded with another Gopperth penalty on 53 minutes: the scoreboard had a disturbing look at 11-9.
Du Plesis and Vyvyan replaced Nieto and Smith at the restart, which Farrell kicked straight into touch. In a case of déjà vu Saracens earned another penalty at the resulting scrum, largely due to the efforts of the excellent Stevens. Farrell opted to kick for goal from halfway and made no mistake to make the score 14-9 after 55 minutes.
Sarries had a chance to extend their lead when Hogg was sent to the sin bin for knocking the ball out of Wigglesworth’s hands at a ruck; once again though the kick was off target.
An hour had been played and despite all their dominance Sarries still couldn’t get the points on the board. Much credit must go to a hard working Newcastle team, superbly led by Hudson and Gopperth once again. Stevens’ first start for Sarries had been an impressive one and he received well earned applause when replaced by Saunders on the hour. The changes in personnel did little to change Sarries approach – far too much lateral running and not enough support for the ball carrier. There is also a penchant to take the tackle rather than move the ball away from it.
Cato replaced Short on 64 and the lead was extended a minute later when Falcons were penalised for collapsing a maul on their 22, 10 metres to the left of the posts – Farrell converting to make it 17-9.
The game was finally won on 69 minutes as the impressive Saunders drove over from close range following good work by Saull and Cato. Farrell added the extras to give Sarries a lead of 24-9. George replaced Brits but the remainder of the game was played out in much the same fashion as the previous 70 minutes. Saracens in control of the ball but never really looking like creating a telling chance. It also saw Powell replace Barritt but midfield creativity is sadly lacking. Wyles did well at 13, but the process of getting the ball wide to him, Goode, Strettle and Short is predictable and ponderous, they are consistently met with a wall of defence.
Man of the Match award went to Farrell, as much a reflection of his composure with boot as anything else. It was a good win but I was left with the feeling that Tigers, Saints or Gloucester would have certainly secured a try scoring bonus point against a determined but limited Falcons team.
Whilst writing this report I had one eye on the Crusaders v Sharks game from Twickenham – were we really playing the same game?
Saracens: Goode, Strettle, Wyles, Barrett, Short, Farrell, de Kock, Stevens, Brits, Nieto, Borthwick, Smith, Melck, Saull, Joubert.
Replacements: Cato for Short (64), Wigglesworth for de Kock (15), Saunders for Stevens (62), George for Brits (70), Du Plessis for Nieto (53), Vyvyan for Smith (53), K. Brown for Melck (41). Powell for Barritt (73)
Newcastle: Catterick, A. Tait, Eves, Fitzpatrick, Sheriffe, Gopperth, Pilgrim, Golding, Thompson, Hall, Hudson, van der Heijden, Swinson, Welch, Hogg.
Replacements: Tu'ipulotu for Fitzpatrick (55), Young for Pilgrim (55), Shiels for Golding (66), Vickers for Thompson (49), Brookes for Hall (47), M. Wilson for van der Heijden (66), Gray for Hogg (70). Not Used: Hodgson.
Sin Bin: Hogg (60).
Att: 7,135.
Ref: Martin Fox
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Stumbleupon28/03/2011 15:15
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011:04:02:18:11:11 by Kat..
Nous sommes l'armée noir et rouge !
IMO when we get a 10 that stands flat and takes the ball to the line a la Carter/ AND fLOOD TO A LESSER DEGREE,then we will see creativity.In addition my observation is that Sarries play to an orchestrated plan and play field position in their own half.As the ground dries up they must be empowered to play what they see.Sadly this is typical English rugby as a result of playing in a bog for half the season.Barritt has to create his own by being a ball carrier as he too often gets delivery way behind gain line.This is then perpetuated laterally.
Believe me if Powell is the answer then what happened in Bath last night.
A goal kicker is not always MOM .Stevens was way clear MOM
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