By Henry Harman
September 29 2003

Billed as a golden opportunity to end the curse of Kingsholm, Saturday's game between hosts Gloucester and Saracens was a big let-down for the away supporters. Saracens only have themselves to blame for not taking any points from the encounter. They certainly had the chances. Their inability to retain primary possession is a real cause for concern, only once James Parkes replaced Joe Ross at hooker was there any consistent, clean ball from the line-out. The first half stats were awful; Sarries secured 4 from 9 throw-ins. Things were also still a bit wobbley in the scrum. To be competitive this year Sarries must sort this out. For Gloucester, Alex Brown was superb in the first-half, poaching brilliantly.

Sarries’ problems started when Ross gave away a silly penalty for a late shoulder-charge five metres from the Gloucester line.

Within 22 minutes the hosts were ahead 10-0 through a Henry Paul penalty and a first ZP try for full-back Jon Goodridge, finishing a sweeping move that caught Sarries wanting out wide, Paul added the extras. Not two minutes later Nathan McAvoy was over the line after some good build-up by Bailey, Sorrell and Castaignede only to drop the ball under pressure from Andy Hazell. The howls of ‘ee-orr’ will haunt him forever.

Not quite as cringe-worthy but still a good chance came just before half-time in the same corner as the McAvoy incident. Thomas Castaignede just tried to do a little bit too much and ended up under a pile of cherry and white jerseys with the ball rolling away from him.

Paul added another penalty to make the half-time score 13-0.

Sarries came out well in the second-half. Awarded a kickable penalty, Raiwalui pointed to the corner and Andy Goode provided a good platform from which the forwards to work. A clean line-out take lead to a push-over try for Kiwi No.8 Taine Randell. Goode converted, 13-7. Game-on we thought…… maybe not.

Some loose defence coupled with some fine Gloucester handling allowed Goodridge in for his and Gloucester’s second try. Paul added 2 more points and Sarries trailed 20-7. Three minutes later Robert Todd intercepted a Dan Kirton pass and set off up-field, knowing he didn’t have the legs on Richard Haughton, he passed to James Simpson-Daniel who showed Sarries how to put the ball down in ‘that corner.’

Straight from the re-start Kris Chesney was sent to the sin-bin for taking the man out in the air. He appeared a little hard done by. During his absence, some loose work around the blind-side of the ruck saw the ball squirt out into the hands of Gloucester scrum-half Alex Page who off-loaded to a cantering Jamie Forrester. Showing all of his skill, the young England man evaded the attentions of Goode, McAvoy and Roques to score in the corner.

At 30-7 the game was all but over on 68 minutes. Saracens’ open-side, Ryan Peacey was then binned for taking out Goodridge in the air.

The game ended with Sarries knocking on the door but just not getting over the line. Gloucester’s defence was good but it was surprising to not see referee Steve Leyshon reach into his pocket after 3 try-line penalties followed by a Jake Boer induced punch-up.

In fairness to Saracens, they didn’t give up. Yes, their skills, discipline and work at the set-piece had let them down but they had shown some fight. They know what they need to improve on and I am sure that as a result it will be one hell of a week in training for Rod Kafer’s squad.

This Sunday sees the visit of the red-hot NEC Harlequins to Vicarage Road. Saracens will need a much improved performance to stand a chance of ending Quins unbeaten streak.