By Jason Harris (filed: 8/12/03)
December 8 2003

Saracens made heavy work of their 45-13 victory over Roma at Stadio Tre Fontane on Saturday. Leading 31-6 at the break, Sarries struggled to overcome a spiritied Italian second half performance and looked laboured and predictable, failing to capitalise further on their superior strength and fitness. Indeed, the body language of the players as the trudged off the field at the end of the game summed up the afternoon: Sarries were less than convincing in a game that should have been won by 50 points or more.

The home side, playing in dark green, went ahead in the very first minute through a penalty from outside half Maruis Goosen. Sarries were guilty of an infringement right from the kick-off and the South African stepped up to put the home side into the lead.

But it took Sarries just six minutes to apply enough pressure for Roma to concede a penalty 30 metres out. Thomas Castaignede shunned the chance to level matters by going for goal and instead kicked for the corner.

From the resulting lineout, Sarries won the ball and rumbled to the line and emerging from the bottom of the pile of bodies was Richard Hill to claim the first of his two tries. Castaignede converted to make the score 3-7.

Further Sarries pressure set up the next score for Alex Codling, his first in a Saracens shirt. The lock forward was the beneficiary of another rolling maul, this time set up on second phase after a scrum near the Roma line. Castaignede hit the left hand post with the conversion as he appeared to struggle with the unfamiliar Webb Ellis balls used in the European tournaments.

Hill scored his second, unconverted try just before the end of the first quarter in an identical way to the first as Roma had no answer for the Sarries tight game and driving maul. But Goosens closed the gap to 6-17 with his second penalty just three minutes later.

The fourth Saracens try was a carbon copy of Hill's brace. Yet another 5 metre lineout proving fruitful, this time for Robbie Russell. Castaignede converted from the left touchline to put Sarries 6-24 ahead.

Just as it looked like the Men in European Red were going to go for a fourth catch and drive from another penalty a minute before half time, Castaignede feigned his kick to the corner and elected instead to take a quick tap and move the ball to the right. Ben Johnston had an easy run-in as the Roma defence was caught flat-footed. Castaignede kicked his third conversion and the score at half time was Roma 6, Saracens 31.

Johnston didn't have to wait long for his second try, which was goaled by Castaignede, as he rounded off a rare backs move five minutes into the second half. Roma were by then down to fourteen men after lock Angelo Benecetti was sin-binned for an offence at the ruck.

However despite Benecetti and second row partner Adrian Buhrmann both spending 10 minutes on the touchline in quick succession, it took a further 25 minutes for the score to move from 6-38 as Sarries laboured and toiled, trying to find the gaps out wide.

Roma were by now spoiling all quick ball and Sarries had to resort to solo, often unsupported runs from the likes of Nicky Little, Ben Johnston and fullback Paul Bailey, none of which proved successful. Right wing Denis Cech was always looking for work, but Saracens' play was by now very easy to read and this played into the hands of a home side seeking little more than damage limitation.

When the next score finally arrived ten minutes from time, it was Roma who crossed the line after a forward surge from open side flanker Domenico DeLuca. Goosens converted and the home fans finally had something to shout about.

This score was the wake-up call Sarries finally needed and, with renewed urgency and energy, they started running everything at the Italians. With five minutes remaining, Denis Cech rounded off a fluid back move by out-pacing the last two defenders and squeeze in at the right corner. Castaignede booted the extras to complete the scoring for the afternoon.

As the final whistle arrived, the sizeable Sarries contingient left the ground feeling somewhat underwhelmed by what they saw and it was the same too for the players who looked disappointed with their day at the office.

Rod Kafer used all his subs except Adryan Winnan and Raphael Ibanez looked the pick of the Sarries forwards in the second period after he came on for Robbie Russell. Hill, as seems to be the norm, was the main man in the first 40, but he had to leave the game just before half time with a calf injury. Ben Broster came on late in the game to fill in at flanker and surely enjoyed the experience.

The second leg at Vicarage Road next weekend should be a formality and the scene will then be set for a likely trip to Hughenden to take on Glasgow who won well down in the south of France, beating Montpellier 30-11. The Scots play their return leg on Friday night so Sarries will know where they'll be heading before they take to the field on Sunday.

Between the next Roma encounter and the potential trek north of the Border there is the small matter of three very tough league games. Frankly, if Sarries perform like they did out in Italy, they should be easy pickings for Wasps, Bath and Leeds. There is much room for improvement.

Saracens: Bailey; Cech(1T), Johnston (2T), Little, O'Mahony; Castaignede (5C), Williams; Bergamaschi,R.Russell (1T),Visagie; Raiwalui(c), Codling (1T), Chesney, Hill (2T), Skirving.

Attendance: 512 or 1,100 whether you believe the English or Italian point of view.