Saracens
WE'RE GOING TO TWICKENHAM!
By The Saracens
June 12 2022
It is not sensible to poke a Hornet’s nest. That’s a bit of useful advice Mr Marler even if it took these particular Hornets a while to rise from their slumbers, but once they did, nothing was going to stop them!
Getting to StoneX proves to be a mission because of troubles at Amen Corner but we make it with just a couple of minutes to spare and peer into a red mist as the teams take the field. Hopefully not a sign of things to come! The sun is shining and StoneX looks just great. There are good numbers of Quins’ fans about and in good voice. Vincent Koch & Tim Swinson lead the team out in what is to be their final appearance at StoneX (we later learn Tim is one of 6 players leaving the club). There is a strongish swirling westerly breeze mainly blowing across the pitch, perhaps with a slight southern bias. Supporters from both sides applaud Tiffany Youngs who sadly lost her fight against cancer this week. Mr Pearce blows his whistle and Quins kick off so one assumes Sarries won the toss. Almost immediately Davies kicks the ball out under pressure on the full which leads to a Quins penalty from the maul and Round 1 of the fisticuffs. A second Quins penalty and lineout drive allows Alex Dombrandt to score in the corner with only 3 minutes on the clock. Smith is way off with the conversion but Quins are up and running. After some aerial ping pong, Sarries attack. Faz puts the penalty in the corner, Itoje takes a 2nd penalty quickly and Sarries attack throwing the ball about. It comes to Maitland but the pass is just a bit too far ahead and Maitland knocks on but Mr Pearce has already awarded the penalty and Faz takes a straightforward 3 points.
Quins start a period of dominance, largely camped in the Sarries’ 22 but despite conceding a series of penalties, Sarries’ defence is heroic and in the end they force a turn over allowing Davies to make amends for his earlier error with a superb clearance kick. Quins are most definitely up for this and Danny Care shows why he is still the best 9 in the world when Quins’ pressure helps him steal the ball from under Aled’s feet on a Sarries’ scrum. Somehow the black wall stands firm, with Davies and Earl outstanding, to Quins’ attack and a huge cheer greets a Sarries’ turn over and clearance. Quins are already upsetting Mr Pearce being tardy to the line out. Pressure seems to be relieved when Sarries steal a Quins’ line out but then McFarland knocks on and strong Quins pressure at the scrum produces a penalty advantage but Marcus Smith isn’t waiting and he sets off, passing to Danny Care on his shoulder, who runs through several half hearted tackles to score. This time Smith lands the extras and after 20 minutes Quins lead 12-3. But fear not, the slumbering giant hornets are stirring and it will not be long before they wake.
Malins takes a superb high ball from the grasp of Jones then Farrell puts a lovely chip through forcing Care to run it into touch. From the overthrown lineout, Faz secures, Sarries launch several attacks. Billy is almost over then Mako but Quins aren’t lying down yet. Eventually the ball finds Earl who shoves everyone and everything out of his way and reaches forward to ground the ball. Owen uncharacteristically misses the conversion but at 8-12, things are looking better. Finally, Sarries are stirring. Maitland and Malins take the ball into Quins’ 22. Quins defend another ferocious series of attacks; Faz decides to go for the drop goal. Sadly he is way off (can no one land a drop goal these days?)
Faz puts up an enormous spiral bomb that evades Hugh Jones, then he appears to land a huge 50:22 although Jones just saves it. Were his toes touching the whitewash? We shall never know as the officials don’t check. Marchant almost intercepts a Sarries’ pass: it appears Quins have knocked on: Walker’s tackle on Faz looks high and everyone stops apart from Marchant who “scores” at the other end. We all look at Mr Pearce who consults the TMO. Was the pass forward? Yes. Mr Pearce then wants to look at the tackle on Farrell by Walker. It is deemed illegal by the TMO although Mr Pearce is less sure but Ian Tempest, the TMO wins and Walker gets to put his feet up for 10 minutes. Daly finds a lovely touch from the resulting penalty and a 2nd follows from the line out. Owen arranges a 5m lineout then Billy, Jamie and Maro all surge forward but each is just short. Owen dummies then lying on his front pops up a delightful pass for Nick Tompkins to score Sarries’ 2nd and give Owen an easy conversion. 15-12 and Sarries take the lead. Malins saves the day when Care breaks, once again nicking the ball from the back of the Sarries’ scrum.. As the clock goes dead, Quins, in possession, opt to end it for now.
So we reach half time with Sarries ahead somehow. Not an auspicious start – as feared after 3 weeks break it took a while for the team to gel but finally it seems to be coming together. The hornets are starting to buzz angrily. As we cheer our victorious women’s team, we are hopeful for the 2nd half.
Sarries re-emerge a different team, as has happened so often in recent weeks. One day they will play like this from the start and then they will be unstoppable! Quins make a mess of the kick off, Goode finds Earl the winger who scores his 2nd try leaving Sean Maitland in his wake! Owen lands a tricky conversion for a more comfortable 22-12. Walker’s absence has cost Quins 14 points and they are not looking so assured now. The momentum is with Sarries. Swinson departs to applause to be replaced by Nick Isiekwe. His first action is to steal a Quins lineout and almost single-handedly depower one of their main weapons. Sarries are starting to up the tempo and throw it around. Hang on boys it’s not won yet! Quins prove my point by nicking a Sarries’ lineout but mess up a try scoring opportunity with a forward pass. Brendan Venter is spied talking to MMc. The man who started all this and the man who is finishing it. Koch bursts free and off loads for Aled Davies who scores Sarries’ 4th try. Owen hits the post with his attempted conversion but 27-12 is feeling a bit more comfortable. Quins attack but the mightiness has gone. Or has it? Fate, in the persona of Ian Tempest the TMO, has drawn Mr Pearce’s attention to a tackle by Daly on Smith. Mr Pearce seems to have decided on a penalty but then is persuaded to change his mind and Daly gets to put his feet up for 10 minutes. So 14 v 15. Is this the trigger for one of those famous Quins’ comebacks?
Tempers are fraying fast now. Smith plonks the penalty to 5m and there is another penalty at the lineout which Danny Care taps but it all misfires with a knock on leading to Round 2. It appears Faz and Dombrandt clashed heads and Faz is now bloodied but laughing. Was a punch thrown? The officials don’t seem very interested in reviewing it and Mr Pearce makes do with grumping at both sides and insisting Faz gets a headdress. Sarries have a scrum but it gets very messy and there is a pile of bodies over the line. Mr Pearce decides on another Sarries’ scrum and this time Billy peels off the back. There are several pick and goes in Sarries own 22 – seems a bit dodgy to me – but finally Davies boots the ball down the pitch.
The Yellow card clock is running down with thus far no damage but Fate has another card to play. Billy and Esterhuizen clash. Quins have phase after phase of possession but go nowhere. Care looks to take a quick one but Mr Pearce is having none of it. The TMO wants to look at Billy’s clash again. Mr Pearce seems happy but once again the TMO persuades him to review it and he talks himself into a yellow card. Harsh maybe? For the next 3 minutes it is 13 v 15. Sarries’ Supermen push on and Earl nicks a line out. Andy Christie replaces Theo. The 13 defend like Trojans and Quins can’t find a way through but Quins have a penalty. They opt for the scrum. This needs careful management. We can’t afford another card. May be better to leak a try here and hang on – Daly’s exile is almost done. Sarries do well but inevitably Quins score in the corner, Murley running in field to make the kick easier for Smith but in vain, he blinks. He misses it. So 27-17 and Daly is back on. 14 v 15 – doddle! 13 minutes remain.
Loz replaces Malins, Sarries make progress into Quins’ territory but Quins win a penalty. Quins throw everything at the Men in Black. Penalties seem to be going the way of the West Londoners too. Can we hold on until Billy returns? Dombrandt breaks, Quins are almost there but these men are Saracens and although the ball is over the line it is on Isiekwe’s body so we have a try line drop out. Mawi replaces Mako , Taylor comes on for Maitland. Quins try to regroup. Fate hands them one final card. Marchant and Loz clash with Loz appearing to come off worst. Initially Mr Pearce announces the scrum but again the TMO wants him to review the tackle. The TMO deems head contact, Mr Pearce just wants a penalty but the TMO insists so Loz is on his way and once again it is 13 v 15. But wait, Billy is back. 14 v 15 – well that’s no problem then is it!
Sarries rub salt into Quins’ wounded ego with a turnover at the lineout. Isiekwe again is instrumental, and things get even worse for Quins with a scrum penalty to Sarries leading to Round 3. Mr Pearce threatens both captains that Red cards will come out if this continues. Daly’s penalty lands deep in Quins territory. And the arch-enemy, one Joe Marler, departs.
Sarries’ star is rising. Their 14 men are threatening Quins’ try line big time. Quins defence is desperate. For once it seems they know there will be no comeback today. Just 3 minutes left and Sarries have a penalty deep in the Quins 22. Not even Quins can get out of this one. Owen goes for the corner. Isiekwe of course wins the ball and Quins transgress. Another penalty and less than 2 minutes to go. Surely, surely this is it. It is now! One last lineout drive pushed almost single-handedly by Itoje, and Earl gets his hat-trick. Owen makes sure the clock is dead before he kicks the tricky conversion he was never going to miss and it is done. The 13 Men in Black have overcome everything Quins (and the TMO) could throw at them. The Champions are floored. The road to Redemption goes on.
WE’RE GOING TO TWICKENHAM!
In retrospect this was one helluva performance, given Sarries didn’t turn up for the first 30 minutes and played the last 30 with 13/14 men. Sarries’ defence was just immense. The more that was thrown at them, the stronger they became. Ben Earl absolutely deserved his man of the Match (come on Eddie how can you keep ignoring this lad?) but I felt the arrival of Nick Isiekwe was a huge turning point. Quins could no longer bank on their line out and that proved fundamental. In fact it is hard to think of a single Man in Black who didn’t perform – albeit a couple of them were a bit late to the party but once they all turned up, what a show! And a word for Mr Pearce. I thought he had a good game, kept things running, sympathetic to the players yet assertive and got most of the big calls right. As for the TMO – on another day, in another game both sides would have kept 15 players on the pitch but that’s how it is these days and Sarries have to learn to play by the rules. I think next week there may be a bit of tackling practice!
And finally, Mr Marler, if you poke your finger in a Hornet’s nest, you are going to get stung big time.
SARACENS:
Goode, Maitland (Taylor), Daly, Tompkins, Malins (Lozowski), Davies, Farrell; M Vunipola (Mawi), George, Koch, Itoje, Swinson (Isiekwe), McFarland (Christie), Earl, B Vunipola
YELLOWS: Daly, B Vunipola, Lozowski
HARLEQUINS
Jones (Northmore), Green, Marchant, Esterhuizen, Murley, Smith, Care; Marler (Kerrod), Walker (Gray), Collier (Louw), Symons, Tizard (Jurevicius) Lewies (Gray) (Lawday), Evans, Dombrandt
YELLOW: Walker
SCORERS:
SARACENS (34): Tries: Earl (3), Tompkins, Davies; Conv: Farrell (3); Pen: Farrell
HARLEQUINS (17): Tries: Dombrandt, Care, Murley; Conv: Smith
Referee: Luke Pearce
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:07:16:20:03:49 by Darraghgirl.
Also - didnt LI score against when they were down to 13 players?
I think it is quite clear from reviewing the match footage that Symons threw a couple of punches at Farrell and at least one connected. To Farrell’s credit he down played the contact saying it was simply the original cut reopened. I thus think Pearce decided not to look further and for once the TMO decided not to intervene. So if there is any criticism it should be of Tempest as TMO as his main job is to police foul play and throwing punches is certainly in that category. Consistency is what we want.
Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!
Quote:But perhaps not too closely though..................................myleftboot
People who like to whine about Farrell's temperament should watch that game again.
[www.reddit.com]
AR - Luke Pearce
AR - Christophe Ridley
TMO - Tom Foley
Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!
Quote:Darraghgirl
Won' t the red clash more than the black?
Perhaps, yes with that red shoulder on their kit but we were in red back in October last year..
Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!
Like it alot.
absolute discretion, allow a Home Club and the Clubs in the Premiership Final to wear
their first choice colours. The colours so notified to and approved by PRL by each Club
shall be worn during the next following Season by such Club and no changes in such
colours shall be permitted during the course of such Season, except with the prior written
approval of PRL.
so i guess it means how much we want to wear home kit vs away....
Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!
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