By King Zak
February 28 2016

  Saracens team selection for the encounter with Sale suggested that anything gained from this match would be a more than welcome outcome – a losing bonus point seemed to be the height of expectation. Arguably only three of the starting XV would be expected to start if everyone were available. It was an opinion shared by many of those I chatted to pre-game; the main focus of conversation being the minute’s applause planned on 10 minutes in honour of one of Sale and Saracens finest players, ‘Sir’ Charlie Hodgson. The consummate fly-half was made captain for the day and led the teams out on what is expected to be his last appearance in a competitive game in front of his former employers.  

Following a bright start by Saracens our worst fears seemed to become reality. It began with a poor kick from Cipriani resulting in a 22m drop out. Hodgson kicked the ball directly into touch, resulting in a Sale scrum on Sarries 22m line. It was their first real foray and brought immediate dividend as Sam James completed a simple ‘run straight, draw the defender and pass’ routine to touch down on 8 minutes. It was very reminiscent of the Wasps debacle and Cipriani’s successful conversion was followed within two minutes by another simple try. It was Danny Boy’s chip kick over the defence that Ransom, Bosch and Tompkins all failed to deal with, leaving Johnny Leota the simple task of scoring in the right corner. Fortunately, the conversion was missed – it didn’t even cross the try line!

Matters got even worse on 16 minutes as another ‘run, draw, pass’ move gave Tom Arscott the chance to run at Ransom. The full-back chose to allow Arscott a run round the outside, an opportunity he gleefully took and touched down to the left of the posts. The defence was far too passive and the only thing going in Sarries favour was that Cipriani was on kicking duty. He missed the relatively simple conversion to leave it at 17-0. His acrimonious move back to Wasps has understandably upset many at Sale, but they will certainly not miss his goal kicking! A suggested replacement is Ryan Lamb – not sure he would solve that particular issue!

Finally, Saracens managed to get involved in the game in a positive sense. A driving lineout close to the line saw Jim Hamilton finally awarded the try after some deliberation from the TMO. The conversion was never missing as Charlie reminded the home supporters (and his opposite number) of how goal-kicking should be done! 17-7 after 20 minutes soon became 17-10 as Sarries stole a Sale lineout and drove towards the 22. The excellent Jackson Wray carried the ball into the heart of the defence, drawing the penalty for an early tackle; Hodgson converting the simple kick. Suddenly, we actually had a real game on!

Hodgson missed with a long-range penalty on 30 minutes but even better reward came a minute later as Wyles crossed in the left corner for his first try of the afternoon. Once again, it was a pretty simple ‘run, draw, pass’ move that created the space. For some reason Mr Wigglesworth wanted the TMO to check this score too, but it was duly awarded. Hodgson was wide with the conversion but 17-0 had quickly become 17-15.

Amidst all of the action, the proposed minute applause for Sir Charles had failed to materialise, but he finally got the ovation he deserved – just not in the way he would have wished. Following lengthy treatment for a head injury, he staggered uncertainly from the pitch – hopefully he was able to appreciate the genuine appreciation of what he has achieved in a wonderful career from all present. The introduction of Nils Mordt brought some mutterings of disquiet from the travelling support, but it soon turned to cheers as Wyles somehow managed to touch down in the tightest of corners. It took several replays before the TMO adjudged that he had indeed grounded the ball before going into touch. We were too far away to see clearly, but it certainly looked VERY close! Spencer took over kicking duties and, as we have come to expect, made no mistake with the most challenging kick of the day. Beyond all expectation, Sarries led 17-22 at the interval.

It was no surprise that Charlie didn’t return after the break and a further change was made as du Plessis made way for Juan Figallo. Sarries made a really positive start to the half with Kelly Brown marauding forward but poor handling from Bosch brought an end to the opportunity.

However, in a repeat of first half events, it was simple errors that cost Saracens dearly. Ransom compounded one error (kicking the ball directly into touch) with another (getting isolated in midfield) – both allowing Cipriani to convert the resulting penalties and take them back into the lead 23-22. He extended this further on 57 minutes with another simple penalty. Indiscipline was proving costly for Saracens yet again!

However, just as the home side seemed set to run away again, a loose pass to James who then inexplicably threw the ball forward allowed Wyles a chance to break down the left. He drew the last defender and popped the ball back inside to Tompkins. The young centre had the simple task of touching down and Spencer added the extras to take Saracens back into the lead. It was yet another try that required agreement from the TMO – really not sure why though! The lead was extended further when Mike Ellery intercepted another wayward Sale pass and sprinted 85 metres to score under the posts. A simple conversion, 26-36 lead, surely an improbable win was now assured with less than 15 minutes remaining. It also gave Saracens the opportunity to introduce two debutants as Porecki and Low replaced the impressive Saunders and Smith.

Unfortunately though, more indiscipline allowed Sale to gain field position and use their one real threat – the driving maul. The first one saw the belligerent TJ Ioane score Sale’s fourth try of the afternoon and with just two minutes remaining, another driving maul led to a huge overlap allowing Tom Arscott to score again. Fortunately Cipriani failed with both kicks and so, with 5 seconds remaining, we were tied at 36-36.

There was still one more opportunity as Sarries reclaimed the kick-off and drove towards the Sale 22. They showed great patience in trying to create the drop-goal opportunity but probably still snatched at the opportunity too early. Spencer’s pass to Mordt was not quite as crisp as required, rushing the replacement fly-half into a fluffed kick that landed some 10 metres short of the line. It was a poor effort really but probably brought a deserved outcome to the game. Both teams took their opportunities very well but neither will be happy with their defending – both teams being far too passive in that department.

For Saracens, Wray and Spencer were outstanding, showing some of the leadership that was missing due to most of it being at Twickenham for the day! A special mention too for Hayden Smith, he finally seems to be re-gaining the form he reached prior to his excursion to New York Jets.

As for Sale, that’s two successive weeks that they’ve scored 4 tries and failed to win the game. Over that period, Cipriani has been successful with just one conversion from 9 tries – not sure that form will get him in ahead of either Gopperth or Jackson!

It was a battling performance from a much depleted Saracens squad but may have come at significant cost if Hodgson is added to the extensive list of absentees next week. Still, at least it’s not a big game – as a man once said, “It’s a funny old game, Saint(s)”.

Teams:

Sale: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Will Addison, 13 Sam James, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Tom Arscott, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Mark Easter, 7 David Seymour, 6 Cameron Neild, 5 Andrei Ostrikov, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Vadim Cobilas, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Ross Harrison

Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Eifion Lewis-Roberts, Brain Mujati, 19 Jonathan Mills, 20 TJ Ioane, 21 Chris Cusiter, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Mark Jennings

Saracens: 15 Ben Ransom, 14 Mike Ellery, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Jackson Wray, 7 Jacques Burger, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Hayden Smith, 3 Petrus du Plessis, 2 Jared Saunders, 1 Titi Lamositele

Replacements: 16 David Porecki, 17 Richard Barrington; 18 Juan Figallo, 19 Kieran Low, 20 Michael Rhodes, 21 Henry Taylor, 22 Nils Mordt, 23 Nathan Earle

Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

TMO: Don’t know who it was, but was involved far more than necessary!

Attendance: Not as many as such an entertaining game (and Sir Charles) deserved!