Saracens
Bish Bash Saints Get Bosched
By King Zak
April 14 2014
For 70 minutes, this was as good as Sarries have played all season, especially considering this was first v second in the Aviva Premiership. They played with a pace and physicality that, for the majority of the time, Saints had no answer for.
The only area where the visitors managed to gain an ascendancy was in the line out – somewhat a surprise given that is an area usually dominated by Borthwick and his merry band.Sarries even managed to gain the upper hand in the scrum – a rarity in recent times against Saints.
Allianz Park was at its resplendent best as the sun shone on a lovely spring day – the perfect welcome for Steve Borthwick as he led his Saracens team onto the pitch, and with it the honour of the most appearances by any player in the premiership. A fantastic achievement for one of the ‘quiet’ men of English rugby who has served both club and country with distinction. (an interesting quirk is that he made his debut for Bath against Saracens in 1997)
One of the criticisms in recent games against Saints has been how slow Sarries have been to get into the match. There was no such problem today as they controlled the ball from the first minute. Farrell’s first kick of the day was a poorly executed punt forward resulting in a scrum back on halfway. However, his kick from hand shortly afterwards which allowed Strettle to touch down in the left hand corner was absolute perfection. Spotting that Foden had drifted in field, Farrell placed the perfect grubber kick for leading try scorer Strettle to score just inches from the touchline. It was both simple and magnificent at the same time. Once again though, Farrell missed the conversion but Sarries were looking well set.
As mentioned, Saints one area of dominance was the lineout and it was from their first foray into Sarries 22 that they got on the scoreboard – just not necessarily in the fashion expected. Having managed to win a turnover at the lineout, Sarries then managed to concede a penalty at the resulting scrum – Myler converting to make the score 5-3. It didn’t take long for Saints to repeat the process either; this time the lineout was secured and as they drove towards the line, and an inevitable score, the referee awarded a penalty try for Saracens collapsing the maul. This seemed a slightly strange decision as it appeared Manoa had actually scored anyway! It all meant that, after 18 mins, Saints were ahead 5 – 10. Sarries came flying back though and regained the lead with one of the tries of the season.
The initial break was made by the rampaging Brits from deep inside his own half up to the Saints 22. He kept the ball alive, offloading to Ashton as he was tackled. It then went through the hands of Farrell, Brits (again), Billy, Wray, Botha. His off load from the ground was scoop-passed by Borthwick to Wyles before a final pass saw Kelly Brown slide through for the score. Farrell was on target this time with the kick to give Sarries a 12-10 lead after 22 mins.
Sarries continued to play with pace and purpose and once again ripped open the Saints defence. The next such attack resulted in a scrum penalty that uncharacteristically Farrell drifted wide. It appeared to me at least that he had been ‘targeted’ (quite legally) by the Saints backrow, Clark in particular being responsible for one big ‘hit’. It was in the build up to Brown’s try and I suspect it may have resulted in a penalty had the try not been scored. The referee asked the TMO to check whether any further sanction should be forthcoming but, correctly in my opinion, no yellow card was shown. It epitomised the physicality and endeavour on show from both teams.
The Vunipolas were making big in-roads into the Saints defence, ably supported by Botha, Wray and man of the match Bosch. The player who stood out for me though was Brad Barritt. Saints constantly sent the bulldozing Manoa into Sarries midfield, and equally as constantly he was sent backwards by Barritt. I can’t recall seeing the big American being so ineffective – a huge compliment to Barritt!
The next few minutes belonged to Marcello Bosch. We all know he has a ‘siege gun’ of a right boot; but the ease with which he smashed over a penalty from near his own 10 metre line almost defied physics. With virtually no back lift at all he sent the ball high over the crossbar. His next effort shortly after was a mere ‘chip’ from the Saints 10m line. The final act of the first half saw a limping Farrell slot over a close range penalty following a scything break from Strettle who seemed to outpace the defence and his own team! That gave Sarries a half time lead of 21-10; they were dominant in virtually every area of the pitch and the only concern was the sight of Farrell continuing to limp as the teams made their way off for the half time oranges.
It was no surprise that he didn’t return for the second half, Charlie Hodgson taking his place. The personnel may have changed but the pattern of the game didn’t. Sarries continued to probe and the third try eventually came courtesy of that man Bosch again. It was the result once more of Sarries ability to keep the ball alive and move it away from the break down at pace. Hodgson slotted the conversion from near the left touch line and the game seemed sorted at 28-10 with 25 minutes to go. The only real question was whether Sarries would be able to secure yet another try bonus point.
Borthwick left the fray to a standing ovation – from those wearing red and black, and green black and gold. He is a true leader and in many ways, a talisman for Sarries. The game comfortably won, we sat back to enjoy the final quarter of the game. A few more replacements from both sides and the game seemed to lose a bit of shape.
Matt Stevens came on, and then took his usual ‘early leave’ following a yellow card near Sarries try line. Saints seemed to sense a brief opening and it didn’t take long for England centre Burrell to barge his way over with seven minutes remaining. Myler added the extras and nerves started to jangle in the Sarries support. This was compounded two minutes later as a series of errors, including being penalised for delaying a lineout throw, saw George North touch down in the left corner. This required more deliberation from the TMO, but it appeared to me that, although the ball was dropped forward, it was kicked before it hit the ground. Myler’s successful conversion set up a very tense final 5 minutes which Sarries just about managed to see out, claiming a 28-24 victory. Ultimately, I feel the score line flattered Saints but it also highlighted that, given an opportunity, they are still a force to be reckoned with. In reality, Sarries should have probably won by 20 points, particularly given the kicks they missed. I also feel that the efforts in Belfast the previous week took their toll towards the end of the game. A special mention too for Billy Vunipola; before last week he had not played for 6 weeks, he’s not exactly the smallest player in the league, but to be able to put two 80 minute performances back-to-back like that was truly amazing. I expect him, along with several others of the starting XV to be given next weekend off before the battle at Twickenham against Clermont. On the domestic front, one more win should see Sarries secure top spot. For Saints, it will be a close call between them and Tigers for the other home semi-final slot. The bonus point secured today may prove vital to that end.
I think Waldo summed up the final part of the match perfectly – “it was definitely squeaky bum time”!
A final thought on the atmosphere at Allianz Park. It may not be Franklins Gardens or Welford Road standard, but today it actually felt like a real rugby crowd generating real rugby support. Any hint of ‘When the Saints….’ Was immediately drowned out by a chorus of ‘Sarries, Sarries…..’ Good stuff all round – and all done in the best sporting intention!
Saracens: 15. Chris Wyles; 14. Chris Ashton, 13. Marcelo Bosch, 12. Brad Barritt, 11. David Strettle; 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Neil de Kock; 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Schalk Brits, 3. James Johnston, 4. Steve Borthwick ©, 5. Mouritz Botha, 6. Jackson Wray, 7. Kelly Brown, 8. Billy Vunipola. Replacements; 16. Jamie George, 17. Richard Barrington, 18. Matt Stevens, 19. Eoin Sheriff, 20. Jacques Burger, 21. Richard Wigglesworth, 22. Charlie Hodgson, 23. Tim Streather.
Northampton Saints: 15 Ben Foden; 14 Jamie Elliott, 13 George Pisi, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 George North; 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson; 1 Alex Waller, 2 Ross McMillan, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Christian Day, 6 Calum Clark, 7 Tom Wood, 8 Samu Manoa Replacements: 16 Mike Haywood, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Gareth Denman, 19 Sam Dickinson, 20 Phil Dowson, 21 Kahn Fotuali’i, 22 Will Hooley, 23 James Wilson
Ref: Matthew Carley
Attendance: 9,999
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Stumbleupon14/04/2014 20:37
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2014:04:24:09:35:56 by Darraghgirl.
"My kicking coach tells me to imagine I am on the beach and that's what I did. I tried to be as relaxed as possible because we had the wind in our face and I didn't want to force it." - Marcelo Bosch, 06/04/15
Shirley the OED plural of Vunipola is Vunipolae?
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!
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