By Innings
April 11 2021

For those of a London NW4 persuasion, the most important rugby news of the week was the report of an unscheduled meeting between a deputation of Sarries’ England players and Mark McCall.  The deputation wished to make clear that whatever plans had been made for a ‘light duties season’ ahead of the Lions tour and return to the Premiership, the only thing that matters is actually returning to the top flight.  They all want to play their full part in making that happen.

Many of us will be glad of that for the simple reason that we have already seen that the Championship is by no means a light-hearted summer tour, and that every side will see their game against Sarries as their season highlight. Beyond NW4, almost every player for the other ten sides will want this game to be a lifetime highlight, the time they played against a team full of internationals and held their own. The possibility of achieving that dream is going to be a spur for the entire season, and every one of them deserves that dream. Sadly, few supporters will be able to say “I was there”, the claim of the entire population of Wales after the great ABs game of 1953.

It is fitting that Bedford Blues are the first team to have the possibility against the real top guns; after all, the links between the two clubs have run deep and fruitfully for both clubs since the advent of the professional era. The Sarries team today was one to attract a full crowd to any ground, with Owen Farrell, appointed club captain this week as well. Sadly, he is suffering from a slight strain and was rested. Even with other internationals on loan to other Premiership clubs, Sarries put out a side whose backbone was five international forwards and four international backs.

As we have seen before, the first half was one of fire and brimstone, the Bedford players intent on imposing their ambition and commitment onto an over-confident Sarries outfit. However, the reality does not lie for long, and Bedford’s place in tenth in the table of 11 is a reality. Maro was not confused by having more time and space in 40 minutes than he’s normally get in half a season, being in the right place to benefit from a powerful break by Elliot Daly, himself tackled just short of scoring, and dot down relatively undisturbed. Very soon afterwards, a trademark chargedown delivered ball and try-line, and the Bedford side were rocking on their heels already. However, they did not give up, and indeed were playing some good rugby of their own, with skill and ambition. However, with so much a gap in class, it was only a matter of time before Billy Vuipola was on hand in open play to receive from Sean Maitland and open his account. So far, three tries, all from open play and all from forwards. Before half-time, a fourth, Billy provided his second, for the bonus point, with a team effort at scrum-time. Manu Vunipola, calm all day, provides the extras on three of his four attempts, Bedford’s Matthews takes a routine penalty, and at half-time, Sarries are 26-3 ahead, bonus point secured and inroads made into the points difference that lies at this stage in Doncaster’s favour in the table positions.

The second half livens up a little. Bedford in particular, seem to have received a phone call from Ronan O’Gara during the interval. For the rest of the game they will play a recognisable variation of KBA , Keep the Ball Alive. High tempo, follow the old rule: Space, Not Face. This makes for a very free-flowing spectacle. Several line-breaks will have worried the Sarries coaches, and cause visiting guest commentator Ben Earl to note that a try will come from one of them, which it does. A very slick break from well in their own half, support runners in numbers, and eventually Sarries run out of defence numbers. It was a try that will have had the Bedford coaches purring, and if they can bottle that clear thinking and use it again, their backs will not be at the foot of the table by the end of the season. Sarries fifth try comes from an even more impressive break, built on a very solid high ball receipt by full-back Elliot Obatoyinbo, who makes ground and brings his fellow backs into the picture. A multi-handed phase and scrum-half Aled Davies goes over in the corner.

The fact that a back has scored a try seems to stimulate the forwards all over again, and a ferocious driven maul might have earned a penalty try, but does see a yellow card from Bedford’s defensive efforts. With only seven forwards, Bedford suffer a bad spell, with replacement 8 Janco Venter going over after fierce Bedford defence on the try-line, followed soon by Andy Christie taking profit from a Manu break and distribution. An eighth try come from Bedford defensive errors, this time being a penalty try. Bedford will go home well-beaten, 54-13. However, they were not disgraced, and some other Championship sides will not do any better. They play attractive, joyful rugby, and deserve to do well.

For Sarries, Elliott Obatoyinbo is named star player. He certainly put on a star-dust performance, and seems to have a playing style based on his mentor, Alex Goode. Safe hands, blistering acceleration, spatial awareness and playing towards support runners, all sounds very familiar, and that will all endear him to the legion of Alex’s fans.

That one player gets the nod should not blind us to others. Maro is perhaps the player who most other players would most want on their side and not in opposition. Jackson Wray is one of the most reliable high-energy players in the forwards game today, Billy is back to doing what Billy does, and cousin Manu is becoming a ten of considerable talent and presence. With those four name-checked alongside Obatoyinbo, it seems wrong to mean the others today, who all put in a good day’s work.

Saracens: Obatoyinbo; Lewington, Daly, Taylor, Maitland; Manu Vunipola, Davies; Mako Vunipola, George, Koch, Itoje, Kpoku, Christie, Wray, B Vunipola. Replacements: Lewis, Adams-Hale, Clarey, Hunter-Hill, Venter, Whiteley, Socino, Morris.

Sarries bedding in

Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 11/04/2021 19:39

TheSaracens.com
11/04/2021 19:39

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:04:26:12:35:32 by Stumpy7780.

Reply Quote Report

Darraghgirl
11/04/2021 21:00

well done and very rapidly published

Reply Quote Report

Innings
11/04/2021 23:03

Thanks DG, teething problems with adding pics, editing etc, but I'll get there eventually.

Innings

Points win matches: tries win hearts and minds.

Reply Quote Report

AP
12/04/2021 09:08

Is that the first time all three Vunipolae have started for us?

Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade

🌻🌻🌻

Reply Quote Report

Sarriebone
12/04/2021 10:03

Quote:

AP
Is that the first time all three Vunipolae have started for us?

Yup

Reply Quote Report

The Bard
12/04/2021 18:48

A full and fair summary . Think it was actually 26-6 at half time as the scoreboard failed to register their second penalty.
Was it just me who drew in breath after Venters hand- off? Not sure what the TMO would have made of it.
Obatayimbo very good ball in hand, but not the best tackle attempt leading to their try which we can’t afford to repeat in the next couple of weeks

Reply Quote Report

derbyshire fan
12/04/2021 21:18

Thanks for the write up; I actually thought that Jacob’s fend was spot on - but maybe the TMO might have had a different angle

Reply Quote Report

jonnybrowne
13/04/2021 19:19

Quote:

Innings
Thanks DG, teething problems with adding pics, editing etc, but I'll get there eventually.

Excellent report, really enjoyed reading it.

Reply Quote Report

Darraghgirl
13/04/2021 21:50

Quote:

Innings
Thanks DG, teething problems with adding pics, editing etc, but I'll get there eventually.

one of the downsides of being in the Championship is the lack of available photos. PA images don't seem very interested in us at the moment!
I've added the only (rathe unflattering) picture I can find of Elliott Obatoyinbo! Might have been better to leave it blank!

Reply Quote Report

AlanE
15/04/2021 19:27

Great report. 'Space not Face' - love it!

I was 17 miles from Graybridge before I was caught by the school leopard

Reply Quote Report

tpr's headmistress
15/04/2021 20:18

I've added the only (rathe unflattering) picture I can find of Elliott Obatoyinbo! Might have been better to leave it blank!


Looks like he's just come back from a few days with Goodey avec kit!

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net